organism
/'ɔ:gənizm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A living individual: An organism is a complete living entity that can carry out life processes such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. It can be a plant, animal, fungus, bacterium, or other life form.
- A complex structure with interdependent parts: An organism can also refer to any complex system whose parts work together in a manner analogous to a living body.
Usage and Examples
- Referring to a living entity:
- A single-celled organism, like an amoeba, can be seen under a microscope.
- The forest is home to a diverse range of organisms.
- Referring to a complex system:
- The corporation functioned as a single, efficient organism.
- The entire political body was a delicate organism that could be easily disrupted.
Advanced Usage
- "Social organism": A term used to describe a society or community as a complex, interconnected system functioning like a living body.
- In his writings, he often described the city as a vast social organism.
Variants and Related Words
- Microorganism (n): A microscopic organism, such as a bacterium or virus.
- Handwashing helps eliminate harmful microorganisms.
- Organismic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of an organism.
- The study focused on the organismic response to environmental stress.
Synonyms
- Being: A living creature.
- Life form: An individual living entity.
- Entity: Something that exists as a distinct unit.
Different Meanings
- Primary Meaning: A living individual (biological context).
- Figurative Meaning: Any complex system with interconnected and coordinated parts (societal or mechanical context).
Idioms and Phrases
- No direct idioms are commonly formed with the standalone word "organism." The word is typically used in its literal or figurative senses as described above.
Noun
- a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body
- the social organism
- a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently