[ad. mod.L. SYNERGIA.] Joint working, co-operation.
† a. In general sense. (Cf. SYNERGISM, SYNERGIST 1.) Obs.
1660. Heylin, Hist. Quinquart., I. 9. They speak only of such a Synergie, or cooperation, as makes men differ from a sensless stock, or liveless statua, in reference to the great work of his own conversion.
b. In mod. scientific use: Combined or correlated action of a group of bodily organs (as nerve-centers, muscles, etc.); hence, in extended use, of mental faculties, of remedies, etc.
1847. trans. Feuchtersleben’s Med. Psychol., 88. The transition to the homogeneous is called irradiation (in motor nerves synergy—in sensitive, sympathy).
1867. Lewes, Hist. Philos. (ed. 3), II. 419. The synergy of organs in producing mental phenomena.
1885. J. Martineau, Types Eth. Th. (1889), I. 467. The factors of his personality are now a different set of powers, and the product of their synergy cannot therefore be the same.
