Telos
/ˈtɛlɒs/noun
An ultimate aim, purpose, or end toward which something develops or is directed.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, telos could mean not only an end or goal but also completion of a task, payment of an obligation, or the performance of a sacred rite.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*telh₂-
“To bear, support, lift, or carry something through to completion”
Mycenaean Greek
Greek
te-re-ta
“A term associated with officials or obligations, likely connected with the idea of fulfillment or payment”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τέλος (télos)
“End, completion, result, purpose, payment, or sacred rite”
4th Century BCE
Greek
τέλος (télos)
“In Aristotle’s philosophy, the final purpose or end toward which a thing naturally moves”
Late 19th–20th Century
English
telos
“A philosophical term meaning an ultimate purpose, aim, or goal”