2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Organism  \Or"gan*ism\,  n.  [Cf.  F.  organisme.] 
  1.  Organic  structure;  organization.  ``The  advantageous 
  organism  of  the  eye.''  --Grew. 
 
  2.  (Biol.)  An  organized  being  a  living  body,  either 
  vegetable  or  animal,  compozed  of  different  organs  or  parts 
  with  functions  which  are  separate,  but  mutually  dependent, 
  and  essential  to  the  life  of  the  individual. 
 
  Note:  Some  of  the  lower  forms  of  life  are  so  simple  in 
  structure  as  to  be  without  organs,  but  are  still  called 
  organisms,  since  they  have  different  parts  analogous  in 
  functions  to  the  organs  of  higher  plants  and  animals. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  organism 
  n  1:  any  living  entity  [syn:  {life  form},  {being},  {living  thing}] 
  2:  a  system  considered  analogous  in  structure  or  function  to  a 
  living  body:  "the  social  organism" 

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