tao

noun (sometimes lowercase)

1. (in philosophical Taoism) that in virtue of which all things happen or exist.
2. the rational basis of human activity or conduct.
3. a universal, regarded as an ideal attained to a greater or lesser degree by those embodying it.

noun (in the philosophy of Taoism)

1. that in virtue of which all things happen or exist
2. the rational basis of human conduct
3. the course of life and its relation to eternal truth

n.1736, from Chinese tao “way, path, right way (of life), reason.”