organicism

American  

[awr-gan-uh-siz-uhm] / ɔrˈgæn əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. Philosophy. the view that some systems resemble organisms in having parts that function in relation to the whole to which they belong.

2. Pathology. the doctrine that all symptoms arise from organic disease.

3. a view of society as an autonomous entity analogous to and following the same developmental pattern as a biological organism.

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organicism British  

/ ɔːˈɡænɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the theory that the functioning of living organisms is determined by the working together of all organs as an integrated system

2. the theory that all symptoms are caused by organic disease

3. the theory that each organ of the body has its own peculiar constitution

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Other Word Forms

• organicismal adjective
• organicist noun
• organicistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of organicism

First recorded in 1850–55; organic + -ism

Example Sentences

What you’re hearing is something we can call organicism.

From The Guardian • Nov. 9, 2016

“She brought form to the organicism and elegance and fluidity that we expect of ceramics today, reaching as many people as possible,” said Paola Antonelli, a curator of architecture and design at the museum.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2011

But piece by piece this is absorbing stuff, and its shared organicism is cohesive.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2011

But organicism in the late work more often takes abject form.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2011