n.
Pronunciation: ' h ō - ˌ li-z ə m
Function: noun
Etymology: hol- + -ism
Date: 1926
1 : a theory that the universe and especially living nature is correctly seen in terms of interacting wholes (as of living organisms) that are more than the mere sum of elementary particles
2 : a holistic study or method of treatment
– ho · list \ ' h ō -list \ noun