gestalt n : a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts [also: gestalten (pl)]

English

Etymology

Gestalt, shape, figure, form

Noun

gestalt (sometimes capitalized)

1. A collection of physical, biological, psychological or symbolic entities that creates a unified concept, configuration or pattern which is greater than the sum of its parts (of a character, personality, or being; in German also of a geometric or graphical shape, etc.).

   This biography is the first one to consider fully the writer's gestalt.

Derived terms

• gestalt psychology / Gestalt psychology / Gestalt therapy

Die Gestalt is a German word for form or shape. It is used in English to refer to a concept of 'wholeness' (see wiktionary). Gestalt may also refer to:

• Gestalt psychology (or Gestalt theory), a theory of mind and brain, describing the Gestalt effect.
• Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy, a method of psychotherapy based on Gestalt psychology
• Gestalt therapy, a form of psychotherapy built on the experiential ideal of "here and now" and relationships with others and the world.
• Gestalt (Mac OS), an environment-query function in Mac OS.
• Gestalt (manga), an anime manga and OVA series

alentours, ambience, ambit, angle, aspect, borderlands, circle, circuit, circumambiencies, circumjacencies, circumstances, compass, configuration, context, contour, delineation, effect, eidolon, entourage, environing circumstances, environment, environs, facet, fashion, feature, features, figuration, figure, figure-ground, form, framework, guise, habitat, image, imago, impression, light, likeness, lineaments, lines, look, main features, manner, milieu, neighborhood, outline, outposts, outskirts, pattern, perimeter, periphery, phase, phasis, precincts, profile, purlieus, reference, regard, relief, respect, seeming, semblance, shape, shapes, side, silhouette, simulacrum, situation, skeleton, slant, style, suburbs, surroundings, total effect, total environment, tournure, twist, vicinage, vicinity, view, viewpoint, wise