hylozoism

American  

[hahy-luh-zoh-iz-uhm] / ˌhaɪ ləˈzoʊ ɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy.

1. the doctrine that matter is inseparable from life, which is a property of matter.

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hylozoism British  

/ ˌhaɪləˈzəʊɪzəm /

noun

1. the philosophical doctrine that life is one of the properties of matter

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Other Word Forms

• hylozoic adjective
• hylozoist noun
• hylozoistic adjective
• hylozoistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hylozoism

1670–80; hylo- + zo- (stem of Greek zōḗ ) life + -ism

Example Sentences

Now would be a fine time to ask Siri or Alexa what the word “hylozoism” means, but you should obviously look it up in a dictionary instead.

From Washington Post

The latest biological and embryological theories are invoked to help in the comment on the hylozoism of the seven sages and the mysticism of the early Christians.

From Project Gutenberg

In particular it was possibly he who first combined the Atomic Theory with hylozoism; i. e. he conceived of the Atoms as possessing some rudimentary power of movement and therefore able to swerve slightly in their regular downward course.

From Project Gutenberg

Hylozoism is the doctrine that life and matter are inseparable.

From Project Gutenberg

So Hylozoism, ancient and modern, under whatever name you please to term it, breaks down.

From Project Gutenberg