Zoism

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Zoism \Zo"ism\, n. [Gr. zwh` life + -ism.]
     1. Reverence for animal life or belief in animal powers and
        influences, as among savages.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     2. (Biol.) A doctrine, now discarded, that the phenomena of


        life are due to a peculiar vital principle; the theory of
        vital force.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]