I. adjective Date: 1517 1. archaic instrumental 2. a. of, relating to, or arising in a bodily organ b. affecting the structure of the organism 3. a. (1) of, relating to, or derived from living organisms <
organic evolution
organic farming
organic produce
b. (1) of, relating to, or containing carbon compounds (2) relating to, being, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with the carbon compounds of living beings and most other carbon compounds 4. a. forming an integral element of a whole ; fundamental <
incidental music rather than organic parts of the action — Francis Fergusson
b. having systematic coordination of parts ; organized <
an organic whole
c. having the characteristics of an organism ; developing in the manner of a living plant or animal <
society is organic
5. of, relating to, or constituting the law by which a government or organization exists • organically adverborganicity noun II. noun Date: 1942 an organic substance: as a. a fertilizer of plant or animal origin b. a pesticide whose active component is an organic compound or a mixture of organic compounds c. a food produced by organic farming

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.


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