n. pl. tel·e·ol·o·gies 1. The philosophical interpretation of natural phenomena as exhibiting purpose or design. 2. The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena. 3. Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in history. [Greek teleios, teleos, perfect, complete (from telos, end, result; see kwel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + -LOGY.] tel′e·o·logi·cal (-ə-lŏjĭ-kəl), tel′e·o·logic (-ĭk) adj. tel′e·o·logi·cal·ly adv. tel′e·olo·gist n. |
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