vitalistic
|vi-tal-is-tic|
/ˌvaɪtəˈlɪstɪk/
relating to belief in a life force
Etymology
'vitalistic' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'vitalis', where 'vita' meant 'life' and the suffix '-istic' (from Greek '-istikos' via Latin/French formation) meant 'relating to'.
'vitalistic' changed from Latin 'vitalis' to formations in French such as 'vitalisme'/'vitaliste' and English 'vitalism', and eventually became the English adjective 'vitalistic'.
Initially, it meant 'of or relating to life', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to the doctrine that living processes depend on a non-physical vital force'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of vitalism, the doctrine that living organisms are governed by a special vital force distinct from purely physical or chemical processes.
The researcher's vitalistic views were at odds with the emerging biochemical explanations.
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Adjective 2
emphasizing or attributing biological phenomena to a non-physical life force rather than to mechanistic or chemical causes.
A vitalistic explanation attributes growth to an inner life force rather than to biochemical reactions alone.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 23:29