holon

Contents

EnglishEdit

EtymologyEdit

• particle: hole +‎ -on
• sociology term: holo- +‎ -on, from Ancient Greek ὅλος (hólos, “whole”) with the suffix -on suggesting a particle or part.

NounEdit

holon (plural holons)

1. (physics) One of three kinds of quasiparticle (the others being the spinon and orbiton) that electrons in solids are able to split into during the process of spin–charge separation, when extremely tightly confined at temperatures close to absolute zero.
2. (sociology) Something that is both a part and a whole, e.g.: an individual is autonomous, but also part of a family, which is part of an extended family, which is part of a community, etc.

Usage notesEdit

The sociological sense is used primarily in family therapy and in manufacturing.

SynonymsEdit

particle

• chargon

Related termsEdit

• holonic

TranslationsEdit

(physics) quasiparticle

• French: chargeon (fr) m

• Khmer: រន្ធាណូ (rʊəntʰien)

(sociology) connection of the part and the whole

• French: holon (fr) m