organism
/ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.59 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
noun
Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
Example Sentences
- "Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field."
- "This strategy, known as caloric restriction, has been shown to increase the life span of various organisms and reduce their rate of cancer and other age-related ailments."
- "For the first time, Edith was aware of the hotel as a well populated organism, its attendants merely resting until an appropriate occasion should summon them to present themselves […]."
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.
Origin
- Source language: Ancient Greek
- First known use: First attested in 1701
Word Breakdown
- Root: ὄργανον, *werǵ-, organismus
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/
- British English: /ˈɔː.ɡə.nɪ.zəm/