[ 'həʊlɪz(ə)m , 'hɒl- ]
■ noun
1》 chiefly Philosophy the theory that certain wholes are greater than the sum of their parts. The opposite of atomism .
2》 Medicine the treating of the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.
Derivatives
holist adjective &noun
Origin
1920s: from holo- + -ism .