teleonomy

noun

tel·​e·​on·​o·​my ˌte-lē-ˈä-nə-mē  ˌtē- 

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

teleonomic

ˌte-lē-ə-ˈnä-mik  ˌtē- 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

teleo- (as in teleology) + -nomy

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

teleonomy

noun

te·​le·​on·​o·​my ˌtel-ē-ˈän-ə-mē  ˌtēl- 

plural teleonomies

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

teleonomic

ˌtel-ē-ə-ˈnäm-ik  ˌtēl- 

adjective