Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
The quality or state of being selfless.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: self-denial, unselfishness
Antonyms: selfishness
noun
acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: self-sacrifice
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cooperation
Narrower terms: abnegation, self-abnegation, denial, self-denial, self-renunciation
noun
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: altruism
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: unselfishness
History
Etymology tree English self Proto-Indo-European *lewh1- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Middle English -les English -less English selfless Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English selflessness From selfless + -ness.
Across languages
19 source translations are retained for this English entry.
