holism (ˈhəʊlɪzəm) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | any doctrine that a system may have properties over and above those of its parts and their organization |
| 2. | See also alternative medicine the treatment of any subject as a whole integrated system, esp, in medicine, the consideration of the complete person, physically and psychologically, in the treatment of a disease |
| 3. | philosophy reductionism Compare atomism one of a number of methodological theses holding that the significance of the parts can only be understood in terms of their contribution to the significance of the whole and that the latter must therefore be epistemologically prior |
| [C20: from | |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
holism ho·lism (hō'lĭz'əm)
n.
The theory that living matter or reality is made up of organic or unified wholes that are greater than the simple sum of their parts.
A holistic investigation or system of treatment.