Main Entry: te·le·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: \ˌtel-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē, ˌtēl-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural te·le·ol·o·gies

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