organism

The story

1. New Latin · derived fromorganismus
2. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*werǵ-“work”
3. Ancient Greek · derived fromὄργανον“a tool, instrument”
4. English todayorganism

First attested in 1701; from organ + -ism, from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “a tool, instrument”), from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (“work”). Compare New Latin organismus.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 19th c. A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
• from 18th c. Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
• 18th–19th c. The fact of being organic; organicity.