n.
Pronunciation: ˌ te-l ē - ' ä-l ə -j ē , ˌ t ē -
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin teleologia, from Greek tele-, telos end, purpose + -logia -logy ― more at WHEEL
Date: 1740
1 a : the study of evidences of design in nature b : a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature c : a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes
2 : the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
3 : the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena
– tel · e · ol · o · gist \ -jist \ noun