n.
Pronunciation: en- ' te-l ə -k ē , in-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -chies
Etymology: Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelecheia, from entel ē s complete (fr. en- 2 en- + telos end) + echein to have ― more at TELOS , SCHEME
Date: 1593
1 : the actualization of form-giving cause as contrasted with potential existence
2 : a hypothetical agency not demonstrable by scientific methods that in some vitalist doctrines is considered an inherent regulating and directing force in the development and functioning of an organism