Main Entry: en·tel·e·chy

Pronunciation: \en-ˈte-lə-kē, in-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural en·tel·e·chies

Etymology: Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelecheia, from entelēs complete (from en- ²en- + telos end) + echein to have — more at telos, scheme

Date: 1593

1 : the actualization of form-giving cause as contrasted with potential existence
2 : a hypothetical agency not demonstrable by scientific methods that in some vitalist doctrines is considered an inherent regulating and directing force in the development and functioning of an organism