• (RP) IPA: /ɛnˈtɛləki/

entelechy (plural entelechies)

1. (Aristotelian metaphysics) The complete realisation and final form of some potential concept or function; the conditions under which a potential thing becomes actualized.
   1. (specifically) In the metaphysics of Aristotle (384–322 BCE#Initialism|BCE) and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716): a soul; a monad (Leibniz).
      • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, John Florio, transl., The Essayes, […], printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821 ↗:

        , II.12:

        Aristotle […] calleth it [the soul] Entelechy, or perfection moving of it selfe (as cold an invention as any other) for he neither speaketh of the essence, nor of the beginning, nor of the soules nature; but onely noteth the effects of it  […].

2. (chiefly philosophy) A particular type of motivation, need for self-determination, and inner strength directing life and growth to become all one is capable of being; the need to actualize one's beliefs; having both a personal vision and the ability to actualize that vision from within.

• entelechial
• entelechially

• French: entéléchie
• Spanish: entelequia