homeostasis

• homoeostasis (UK)
• homœostasis (dated)

Coined from Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (hómoios, “similar”) + ἵστημι (hístēmi, “standing still”)/stasis (from στάσις (stásis)) by Walter Bradford Cannon.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌhoʊmioʊˈsteɪsɪs/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌhɒmiˈɒstəsɪs/, /ˌhɒmiəʊˈsteɪsɪs/

homeostasis (plural homeostases)

1. (physiology) The ability of a system or living organism to adjust its internal environment to maintain a state of dynamic constancy; such as the ability of warm-blooded animals to maintain a stable temperature.
   • 2011, Professional Guide to Pathophysiology, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, page 1:

     When homeostasis is disrupted by an external stressor - such as injury, lack of nutrients, or invasion by parasites or other organisms - illness may occur.

2. Such a dynamic equilibrium or balance.

• homeostatic
• metal homeostasis

• stasis

• homeostasis at OneLook Dictionary Search