holism
noun/ˈhəʊlɪzəm/, /ˈhɒlɪzəm/
/ˈhəʊlɪzəm/, /ˈhɑːlɪzəm/
[uncountable]- (specialist) the idea that the whole of something must be considered in order to understand its different parts compare atomism
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- (medical) 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 diseaseTopics Healthcarec2
Word Origin1920s: 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.
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