1. (specialist) the idea that the whole of something must be considered in order to understand its different parts Compare : atomism

   Want to learn more?

   Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Collocations: app.

2. (medical) the idea that the whole of a sick person, including their body, mind and way of life, should be considered when treating them, and not just the symptoms (= effects) of the diseaseTopics
Word Origin1920s: from holo- ‘whole’ + -ism; coined by J. C. Smuts to designate the tendency in nature to produce organized “wholes” (bodies or organisms) from the ordered grouping of units.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲