Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Nearby Words

vitalistically

 - 2 dictionary results

vi⋅tal⋅ism

  [vahyt-l-iz-uhm]
Use vitalistically in a Sentence
1. the doctrine that phenomena are only partly controlled by mechanical forces, and are in some measure self-determining. Compare dynamism (def. 1), mechanism (def. 8).
2. Biology. a doctrine that ascribes the functions of a living organism to a vital principle distinct from chemical and physical forces.
Origin:
1815–25; vital + -ism

Related forms:
vi⋅tal⋅ist, noun, adjective
vi⋅tal⋅is⋅tic, adjective
vi⋅tal⋅is⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vitalistically
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vi·tal·ism
Pronunciation: 'vIt-&l-"iz-&m
Function: noun
1 : a doctrine that the functions of a livingorganism are due to a vital principle distinct from physicochemical forces
2 : a doctrine that the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry aloneand that life is in some part self-determining
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see vitalistically on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way