Organic
/ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk/noun
Relating to living things or natural processes; in chemistry, containing carbon compounds.
Did you know?Organic comes through French and Latin from Greek organikos, tied to organon, which meant a tool or instrument—so the word’s deepest root is about something being a working part in a larger system.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werg-
“to work, do, make”
Ancient Greek
Greek
organon
“tool, implement, instrument”
Ancient Greek
Greek
organikos
“fit for work; of an instrument or tool”
Latin
Latin
organicus
“of an instrument or organ; later, pertaining to living structure”
Old French
Old French
organique
“organic, pertaining to an organ or instrument”
Middle English
English
organik
“pertaining to an organ or living body”
Modern English
English
organic
“relating to living organisms, natural growth, or carbon-based chemistry”