teleonomy

[ tel-ee-on-uh-mee, tee-lee‑ ]

noun

1. Biology. the principle that the body's structures and functions serve an overall purpose, as in assuring the survival of the organism.

Other Words From

• tel·e·o·nom·ic [tel-ee-, uh, -, nom, -ik, tee-lee‑], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of teleonomy¹

1955–60; teleo- + -nomy