[tel.e.ol.o.gy] n [NL teleologia, fr. Gk tele-, telos end, purpose + -logia -logy--more at wheel] (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 n