Main Entry: tel·e·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: \ˌte-lē-ˈä-lə-jē, ˌtē-\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin teleologia, from Greek tele-, telos end, purpose + -logia -logy — more at wheel

Date: 1740

1 a : the study of evidences of design in nature b : a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature c : a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes
2 : the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
3 : the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena

— tel·e·ol·o·gist \-jist\ noun