Thursday, September 15, 2011

Word of the Day: Homeostasis

Good afternoon! The word of the day is

- Homeostasis -

pronounced [hoh-mee-uh-stey-sis]

noun
1. the tendency of a system, especially the physiological system of higher animals, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus that would tend to disturb its normal condition or function.

2.
Psychology . a state of psychological equilibrium obtained when tension or a drive has been reduced or eliminated.

3.
Entomology . the ability of members of a colony of social insects to behave cooperatively to produce a desired result, as when bees coordinate the fanning of their wings to cool the hive.

Origin
1926, coined in Mod.L. from homeo-, comb. form of Gk. homoios "of the same kind" (see homeopathy) + Gk. stasis "standing still" (see stet).
Link
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homeostasis