/ ˈɔːgənɪzəm; NAmE ˈɔːrg-/ noun
1.
a living thing, especially one that is extremely small
—see also microorganism
2.
a system consisting of parts that depend on each other :
the social organism (= society)
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WORD ORIGIN
early 18th cent. (in the sense organization , from organize ): current senses derive from French organisme .