organic

[awr-gan-ik] /ɔrˈgæn ɪk/
adjective
1.
noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon.
2.
characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms:
organic remains found in rocks.
3.
of or relating to an organ or the organs of an animal, plant, or fungus.
4.
of, relating to, or affecting living tissue:
organic pathology.
5.
Psychology. caused by neurochemical, neuroendocrinologic, structural, or other physical impairment or change: organic disorder.
Compare functional (def 5).
6.
Philosophy. having an organization similar in its complexity to that of living things.
7.
characterized by the systematic arrangement of parts; organized; systematic:
elements fitting together into a unified, organic whole.
8.
of or relating to the basic constitution or structure of a thing; constitutional; structural:
The flaws in your writing are too organic to be easily remedied.
9.
developing in a manner analogous to the natural growth and evolution characteristic of living organisms; arising as a natural outgrowth.
10.
viewing or explaining something as having a growth and development analogous to that of living organisms:
an organic theory of history.
11.
pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals:
organic farming; organic fruits.
12.
Law. of or relating to the constitutional or essential law or laws of organizing the government of a state.
13.
Architecture. noting or pertaining to any work of architecture regarded as analogous to plant or animal forms in having a structure and a plan that fulfill perfectly the functional requirements for the building and that form in themselves an intellectually lucid, integrated whole.
14.
Fine Arts. of or relating to the shapes or forms in a work of art that are of irregular contour and seem to resemble or suggest forms found in nature.
noun
15.
a substance, as a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English: pertaining to an organ of the body < Latin organicus by or employing a mechanical device, instrumental < Greek organikós equivalent to órgan(on) organ + -ikos -ic
Related forms
organicalness, organicity
[awr-guh-nis-i-tee] /ˌɔr gəˈnɪs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
hyperorganic, adjective
nonorganic, adjective
preorganic, adjective
pseudoorganic, adjective
quasi-organic, adjective
semiorganic, adjective
suborganic, adjective
unorganic, adjective
Synonyms
8. inherent, fundamental, basic.
Antonyms
1. inorganic.
Examples from the web for organic
  • organic birds are allowed to roam free and have perches and other chances to exhibit natural behaviour.
  • If you are sometimes confused when navigating the different marketing terms for organic and natural products you are not alone.
  • organic and natural remedies for sore throats are often packaged as sprays, lozenges or herbal teas.
  • Environmentally friendly clothing is made from organic materials and natural dyes to reduce pesticide and chemical use.
  • There is a growing move toward natural and organic production.
  • The products are made with natural ingredients, and three are certified organic.
  • The basic rule for organic agriculture is to allow natural substances and prohibit synthetic.
  • Governments can educate citizens on the manifold benefits of using organic fertilizer.
  • organic farming relies on high input of labour and also fuel to compensate for the lack of chemical intervention.
  • Hydrocarbons: fossilized organic matter, capable of being made into plastics and fuels.
British Dictionary definitions for organic

organic

/ɔːˈɡænɪk/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of living plants and animals
2.
of or relating to animal or plant constituents or products having a carbon basis
3.
of or relating to one or more organs of an animal or plant
4.
of, relating to, or belonging to the class of chemical compounds that are formed from carbon: an organic compound Compare inorganic (sense 2)
5.
constitutional in the structure of something; fundamental; integral
6.
of or characterized by the coordination of integral parts; organized
7.
developing naturally: organic change through positive education
8.
of or relating to the essential constitutional laws regulating the government of a state: organic law
9.
of, relating to, or grown with the use of fertilizers or pesticides deriving from animal or vegetable matter, rather than from chemicals
noun
10.
any substance, such as a fertilizer or pesticide, that is derived from animal or vegetable matter
11.
organic food collectively
Derived Forms
organically, adverb
Word Origin and History for organic
adj.

1510s, "serving as an organ or instrument," from Latin organicus, from Greek organikos "of or pertaining to an organ, serving as instruments or engines," from organon "instrument" (see organ). Sense of "from organized living beings" is first recorded 1778 (earlier this sense was in organical, mid-15c.). Meaning "free from pesticides and fertilizers" first attested 1942. Organic chemistry is attested from 1831.

organic in Medicine

organic or·gan·ic (ôr-gān'ĭk)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or affecting organs or an organ of the body.

  2. Of or designating carbon compounds.

  3. Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms.

  4. Using or produced with fertilizers of animal or vegetable matter, using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

  5. Free from chemical injections or additives, such as antibiotics or hormones.

or'gan·ic'i·ty (ôr'gə-nĭs'ĭ-tē) n.
organic in Science
organic
  (ôr-gān'ĭk)   

  1. Involving organisms or the products of their life processes.

  2. Relating to chemical compounds containing carbon, especially hydrocarbons.

  3. Using or produced with fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin.

  4. Relating to or affecting organs or an organ of the body. An organic disease is one in which there is a demonstrable abnormality on physical examination, laboratory testing, or other diagnostic studies.


organic in Culture

organic definition


In medicine, a descriptive term for things or conditions that have to do with an organ in the body. The term can also refer to something that is derived from living organisms.