Hylomorphic
/ˌhaɪləˈmɔːrfɪk/noun
Relating to the philosophical theory that physical substances are composed of matter and form.
Did you know?Hylomorphic comes from Aristotle’s metaphysics: the soul, a statue, and even a living body were understood as matter plus form, a concept that still haunts modern debates about what makes something truly itself.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hylē
“wood; matter; stuff”
Ancient Greek
Greek
morphē
“form; shape”
Late 19th Century
English
hylomorphic
“relating to the doctrine that substance is composed of matter and form”
Modern English
English
hylomorphic
“relating to the philosophical theory that physical substances are composed of matter and form”
Explore more surprising origins