The Aristotelian theory of the composition of corporeal beings, adopted and perfected by the scholastics. All bodies contain two constituent principles, the one passive and indeterminate, the other active and determining. The first is primal matter, the second that which gives it a particular character, a specific nature, that is, what constitutes it a substance with its own peculiar qualities which distinguish it from every other substance. The theory is known by the technical term hylomorphism (Greek: hyla, matter; morphe, form).
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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