or·gan·ic

[awr-gan-ik]
adjective
1.
noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon.
2.
characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms: organic remains found in rocks.
3.
of or pertaining to an organ or the organs of an animal, plant, or fungus.
4.
of, pertaining to, or affecting living tissue: organic pathology.
5.
Psychology. caused by neurochemical, neuroendocrinologic, structural, or other physical impairment or change: organic disorder. Compare functional ( def 5 ).
6.
Philosophy. having an organization similar in its complexity to that of living things.
7.
characterized by the systematic arrangement of parts; organized; systematic: elements fitting together into a unified, organic whole.
8.
of or pertaining to the basic constitution or structure of a thing; constitutional; structural: The flaws in your writing are too organic to be easily remedied.
9.
developing in a manner analogous to the natural growth and evolution characteristic of living organisms; arising as a natural outgrowth.
10.
viewing or explaining something as having a growth and development analogous to that of living organisms: an organic theory of history.
11.
pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals: organic farming; organic fruits.
12.
Law. of or pertaining to the constitutional or essential law or laws of organizing the government of a state.
13.
Architecture. noting or pertaining to any work of architecture regarded as analogous to plant or animal forms in having a structure and a plan that fulfill perfectly the functional requirements for the building and that form in themselves an intellectually lucid, integrated whole.
14.
Fine Arts. of or pertaining to the shapes or forms in a work of art that are of irregular contour and seem to resemble or suggest forms found in nature.
noun
15.
a substance, as a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin.
00:10
Organic is a TOEFL word you need to know.
So is novice. Does it mean:
the act or manner of managing; handling, direction, or control
a person who is new to the circumstances or work in which he or she is placed; a beginner
LEARN MORE TOEFL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English: pertaining to an organ of the body < Latin organicus by or employing a mechanical device, instrumental < Greek organikós equivalent to órgan(on) organ + -ikos -ic

Related forms
or·gan·i·cal·ness, or·ga·nic·i·ty [awr-guh-nis-i-tee] , noun
hy·per·or·gan·ic, adjective
non·or·gan·ic, adjective
pre·or·gan·ic, adjective
pseu·do·or·gan·ic, adjective
qua·si-or·gan·ic, adjective
sem·i·or·gan·ic, adjective
sub·or·gan·ic, adjective
un·or·gan·ic, adjective

Synonyms
8. inherent, fundamental, basic.

Antonyms
1. inorganic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To organic
Collins
World English Dictionary
organic (ɔːˈɡænɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
1.  of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of living plants and animals
2.  of or relating to animal or plant constituents or products having a carbon basis
3.  of or relating to one or more organs of an animal or plant
4.  Compare inorganic of, relating to, or belonging to the class of chemical compounds that are formed from carbon: an organic compound
5.  constitutional in the structure of something; fundamental; integral
6.  of or characterized by the coordination of integral parts; organized
7.  developing naturally: organic change through positive education
8.  of or relating to the essential constitutional laws regulating the government of a state: organic law
9.  of, relating to, or grown with the use of fertilizers or pesticides deriving from animal or vegetable matter, rather than from chemicals
 
—n
10.  any substance, such as a fertilizer or pesticide, that is derived from animal or vegetable matter
11.  organic food collectively
 
or'ganically
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

organic
1510s, "serving as an organ or instrument," from L. organicus, from Gk. organikos "of or pertaining to an organ," from organon "instrument" (see organ). Sense of "from organized living beings" is first recorded 1778 (earlier this sense was in organical, mid-15c.). Meaning
"free from pesticides and fertilizers" first attested 1942. Organic chemistry is attested from 1871.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

organic or·gan·ic (ôr-gān'ĭk)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or affecting organs or an organ of the body.

  2. Of or designating carbon compounds.

  3. Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms.

  4. Using or produced with fertilizers of animal or vegetable matter, using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

  5. Free from chemical injections or additives, such as antibiotics or hormones.

or'gan·ic'i·ty (ôr'gə-nĭs'ĭ-tē) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
organic   (ôr-gān'ĭk)  Pronunciation Key 


(click for larger image in new window)

  1. Involving organisms or the products of their life processes.

  2. Relating to chemical compounds containing carbon, especially hydrocarbons.

  3. Using or produced with fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin.

  4. Relating to or affecting organs or an organ of the body. An organic disease is one in which there is a demonstrable abnormality on physical examination, laboratory testing, or other diagnostic studies.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

organic definition


In medicine, a descriptive term for things or conditions that have to do with an organ in the body. The term can also refer to something that is derived from living organisms.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

organic definition


  1. mod.
    great. : This is one fine, organic rally! I'm glad I stopped by.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The products are made with natural ingredients, and three are certified organic.
If you are sometimes confused when navigating the different marketing terms for
  organic and natural products you are not alone.
There is a growing move toward natural and organic production.
Environmentally friendly clothing is made from organic materials and natural
  dyes to reduce pesticide and chemical use.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT