/ ˈhəʊlɪzəm; hɒl-; NAmE ˈhoʊ-; hɑ:l-/ noun [ U ]
1.
the idea that the whole of sth must be considered in order to understand its different parts
—compare atomism
2.
the idea that the whole of a sick person, including their body, mind and way of life, should be considered when treating them, and not just the symptoms (= effects) of the disease
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WORD ORIGIN
1920s: from holo- whole + -ism ; coined by J. C. Smuts to designate the tendency in nature to produce organized “wholes” (bodies or organisms) from the ordered grouping of units.