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Webster 1913 Edition


Organism

Or′gan-ism

,
Noun.
[Cf. F.
organisme
.]
1.
Organic structure; organization.
“The advantageous organism of the eye.”
Grew.
2.
(Biol.)
An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, composed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.
☞ Some of the lower forms of life are so simple in structure as to be without organs, but are still called organisms, since they have different parts analogous in functions to the organs of higher plants and animals.

Webster 1828 Edition


Organism

OR'GANISM

,
Noun.
Organical structure; as the organism of bodies.

Definition 2024


organism

organism

English

Noun

organism (plural organisms)

  1. (biology) A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
    • 2013 July 20, Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
      Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.
  2. (by extension) Any complex thing with properties normally associated with living things.

Hyponyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:organism

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