organism
//ˈɔː.ɡə.nɪ.zəm//
Forms
- Plural
- organisms
Definitions
1.A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
- This strategy, known as caloric restriction, has been shown to increase the life span of various organisms and reduce their rate of cancer and other age-related ailments.
2.Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
- For the first time, Edith was aware of the hotel as a well populated organism, its attendants merely resting until an appropriate occasion should summon them to present themselves […].
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4601
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
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.