entelechy

 
Pronunciation: /ɛnˈtɛləki, ɪn-/

noun (plural entelechies)

[mass noun] Philosophy
  • the realization of potential.
  • the supposed vital principle that guides the development and functioning of an organism or other system or organization: such self-organization required a special biological force—entelechy [count noun]: an entelechy generating a work of art from within

Origin:

late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek entelekheia (used by Aristotle), from en- 'within' + telos 'end, perfection' + ekhein 'be in a certain state'