organism
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɔː.ɡə.nɪ.zəm//
- United States//ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm//
A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
noun
- 1
A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.
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 […].
- 3
obsoleteThe fact of being organic; organicity.
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.
Forms
- plural
- organisms
organism · A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
organization · The quality of being organized.organize · To arrange in working order.organized · Of things or settings, having been organized; in good order.