1. The realization or actualization of potential; the state of being fully realized or complete.
Usage: philosophical; formal
2. In Aristotelian philosophy, the condition of a thing whose essence is fully realized; the soul or vital principle that animates a body.
Usage: philosophy; archaic

Examples

• The artist viewed her completed masterpiece as the entelechy of years of creative struggle.
• In Aristotle's view, the entelechy of a seed is the fully grown plant.
• The philosopher argued that human entelechy is achieved through the development of virtue.
• The organization's entelechy was finally reached when it accomplished its founding mission.
• Some thinkers see entelechy as the ultimate goal toward which all things naturally strive.
• The entelechy of a musical composition is heard only when it is fully performed.