Etymology:
Meaning and Origin:
Teleology refers to the study of purpose or final causes in nature and human behavior. It is the belief that all things have a purpose or goal, and that this purpose directs their development and actions.
The concept of teleology originated in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly with Aristotle. Aristotle believed that all things in nature had an inherent purpose, or "telos," which guided their development and behavior. This purpose was thought to be determined by the "form" of the object, which represented its essence and potential for development.
In the field of biology, teleological explanations were common until the rise of evolutionary theory in the 19th century. For example, it was once believed that the purpose of the giraffe's long neck was to reach high into the trees for food. However, evolutionary biologists later explained the development of the giraffe's neck as a result of natural selection acting on random variations in neck length.
While teleological explanations have been largely replaced by scientific explanations in most fields, the concept of purpose remains influential in certain areas, such as philosophy, ethics, and religion. In philosophy, teleology is associated with the idea of a "final cause," which refers to the ultimate purpose or goal of something.
Etymology Greek τέλος telos Meaning End purpose aim goal Fulfillment c
Philology Etymology and Origin Derived from the Greek words philos friend love an
Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ
Etymology The word analogy comes from the Greek word analogia which is itself derive
Etymology The word trilogy originates from the Greek word τριλογία trilogia
Etymology The word eulogy is derived from the Greek word εὐλογία eulogia w
Etymology Middle English acolade from Old French acolade from Late Latin accollata
Etymology Ancillary derives from the Latin word ancilla meaning maidservant or
Etymology Greek atelēs uncompleted defective Meaning Lacking incomplete i
Etymology Persian bāzār Arabic bazzār Meaning A marketplace or street mar
Etymology Bicycle is derived from the following elements Bi Latin prefix meaning
Etymology The word bucolic comes from the Latin word bucolicus which in turn derives
Etymology The word chakra is derived from the Sanskrit word cakra चक्र wh
Etymology The word chukker originates from the Hindi word chukkar which means a t
Etymology The word collar originates from the Old French word collere meaning neck
Etymology The word collet has its origins in the following Old French colleret L
Etymology Latin colonus meaning farmer settler French colonie meaning settl
Etymology The word colony is derived from the Latin word colonia which means settle
Etymology The word cult comes from the Latin word cultus which means worship re
Etymology Latin colere to tend cultivate Old French cultiver Middle English cul
Etymology and Meaning The word culture is derived from the Latin word colere which m
Etymology The word cyclamen is derived from the Greek word kyklamos which means ro
Etymology The word cycle is derived from the Ancient Greek word κύκλος kyklos
Etymology The word cyclo comes from the Greek word κύκλος kyklos meaning c
Etymology The word cyclone derives from the Greek term kyklōn which means to spin
Etymology The word cyclops is derived from the Greek words kýklos κύκλος me
Etymology and Origin of Encyclical The term encyclical comes from the Ancient Greek w
Etymology Greek ἐγκύκλιος enkyklios circular general universal Latin
Etymology Derived from Greek entelecheia ἐντελέχεια Meaning The rea
Etymology The word epicycle is derived from the Greek words epi meaning upon and
Etymology The word hauberk is derived from Old French haubert which in turn comes f
Etymology The word hawse comes from the Middle English word hawse which is derived f
Etymology Late Latin inquilinus from Latin incola tenant dweller from Proto Indo
Etymology The word kultur derives from the following sources Latin cultura from
Etymology Greek lapidos stone coleo to inhabit Meaning Inhabiting or li
Etymology The word nidicolous comes from Latin nidus nest colus inhabiting
Etymology The word palimpsest derives from the Ancient Greek word palimpsestos whic
Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek palíndromos meaning running back again from p
Etymology The word palindrome is derived from the Greek words palin meaning back
Etymology The word pole derives from the following roots Middle English pol Old
Etymology The word pulley is derived from the Middle English word pule which in turn
Etymology and Meaning Rickshaw is derived from the Japanese word jinrikisha which lite
Etymology Middle English talisman from Old French talisman Old French from Medieval
Etymology Ancient Greek télos end purpose goal logia study Meaning and
Etymology Late Latin telicus from Greek telikos meaning relating to an end or goal
Etymology Derived from Greek roots telos end phase appearance Meaning Th
Etymology Greek τέλος telos Meaning End purpose aim goal Fulfillment c
Etymology Latin tortus twisted collum neck Meaning A condition character
Etymology Middle English whele from Old English hwēol Proto Germanic hwihwlą Prot
Etymology random from Middle French randon meaning violent movement attack impetuo
Etymology The word dandy is derived from the Scottish dander meaning to strut abou
Etymology Latin resolutio Root re again back solvere to loosen release Mea
Etymology Old French sauve Latin salvus whole safe Meaning To protect or
Etymology Hangover First recorded in 1809 Derived from the Middle English hangove m
Etymology Diligence comes from the Latin word diligentia which is derived from the ve
Etymology Ancient Greek ekstasis Latin ecstasis Old French ecstase Middle Engl
Etymology Origin Greek βαπτίζω baptizō Meaning to dip plunge or immerse
Etymology The word confusion is derived from the Latin word confusio which means a
