HOLISM


Meaning of HOLISM in English

/ ˈhəʊlɪzəm; hɒl-; NAmE ˈhoʊ-; hɑ:l-/ noun [ U ]

1.

the idea that the whole of sth must be considered in order to understand its different parts

—compare atomism

2.

the idea that the whole of a sick person, including their body, mind and way of life, should be considered when treating them, and not just the symptoms (= effects) of the disease

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WORD ORIGIN

1920s: from holo- whole + -ism ; coined by J. C. Smuts to designate the tendency in nature to produce organized “wholes” (bodies or organisms) from the ordered grouping of units.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.