teleonomy

noun tel·e·on·o·my \ˌte-lē-ˈä-nə-mē, ˌtē-\

Definition of TELEONOMY

: the quality of apparent purposefulness of structure or function in living organisms due to evolutionary adaptation

— tel·e·o·nom·ic \ˌte-lē-ə-ˈnä-mik, ˌtē-\ adjective

teleo- (as in teleology) + -nomy

First Known Use: 1958

Medical Dictionary

noun te·le·on·o·my \ˌtel-ē-ˈän-ə-mē, ˌtēl-\

plural te·le·on·o·mies

: the quality of apparent purposefulness of structure or function in living organisms that derives from their evolutionary adaptation

—te·le·o·nom·ic \ˌtel-ē-ə-ˈnäm-ik, ˌtēl-\ adjective

Next Word in the Dictionary: teleoptilePrevious Word in the Dictionary: teleomitosisAll Words Near: teleonomy

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