organism
UK /ˈɔː.ɡə.nɪ.zəm/ · US /ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/ noun
Forms organisms
- noun (biology) A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
- noun Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
- noun (obsolete, rare) The fact of being organic; organicity.
Synonyms
Etymology
First attested in 1701; from organ + -ism, from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “a tool, instrument”), from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (“work”). Compare New Latin organismus.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Organic structure; organization. "The advantageous organism of the eye." Grew.
- noun An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, compozed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.
Etymology [Cf. F. organisme.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “organism”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details