synergy

Noun

synergy (countable and uncountable, plural synergies)

1. A synonym of binding energy.
   • Depending on the initial condition of the system (initial alphabet and number of elements) the co-evolution of nested local and global hierarchies continues until the system reaches a maximum value of complexity. At least for nuclear systems a quantitative variable called "complexity" can be...1986, John Andrew Dillon (Society for General Systems Research). Proceedings of the International Conference on Mental Images, Values, & Reality. Vol. 1, Intersystems Publications, p. D-7
   • In short, synergy is the consequence of the energy expended in creating order. It is locked up in the viable system created, be it an organism or a social system. It is at the level of the system. It is not discernible at the level of the system. It is not discernible at the level of the system's...2009, J.-C. Spender, “Organizational Knowledge, Collective Practice and Penrose Rents”, in Michael H. Zack, editor, Knowledge and Strategy, Routledge, page 125
2. The cooperation of two or more nerves, muscles, organs, etc.
   • the digestive synergy
3. The combined action of two or more drugs where the effects are stronger than their mere sum.
4. (figuratively) Benefits resulting from combining different groups, people, objects or processes.
   • Others argued that the notion of a targeted war on a particular disease inevitably distracted from natural synergies with other areas of research.2010, Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Emperor of All Maladies, Fourth Estate (2011), page 187
   • Remember the eastern leg of HS2 being lopped back to the East Midlands? To this Yorkshireman, this was a tragedy. It removed the umbilical cord designed to connect and bind together the modern advanced manufacturing corridor of England (West Midlands-East Midlands-the reborn...2024 February 7, Andrew McNaughton, “HS2: a truncated route cuts off city lifelines”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 47