organism

Pronunciation: /ˈɔː.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
  2. noun a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

being

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
living thing
Narrower (hyponyms)
denizen, stander, person, zooid, dwarf, relict

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