altruism
[ al-troo-iz-uh m ]
/ ˈæl truˌɪz əm /
noun
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism).
Animal Behavior.
behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator.
Origin of altruism
1850–55; < French
altruisme, equivalent to
autru(i) others (< Vulgar Latin
*alterui, oblique form of Latin
alter other (> French
autre), with
-ui from
cui to whom;
-l- restored from Latin
alter) +
-isme
-ism; popularized through translation of A. Comte, who perhaps coined it, on the model of
égoisme
egoism
OTHER WORDS FROM altruism
hy·per·al·tru·ism, nounWords nearby altruism
altophobia,
altostratus,
altrices,
altricial,
altrincham,
altruism,
altruist,
altruistic,
altus,
alu,
aludel
Example sentences from the Web for altruism
British Dictionary definitions for altruism
altruism
/ (ˈæltruːˌɪzəm) /
noun
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others
Compare
egoismSee also
utilitarianism
Derived forms of altruism
altruist, noun altruistic, adjective altruistically, adverbWord Origin for altruism
C19: from French
altruisme, from Italian
altrui others, from Latin
alterī, plural of
alter other
Scientific definitions for altruism
altruism
[ ăl′trōō-ĭz′əm ]
Instinctive behavior that is detrimental or without reproductive benefit to the individual but that favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes. The willingness of a subordinate member of a wolf pack to forgo mating and help care for the dominant pair's pups is an example of altruistic behavior. While the individual may not reproduce, or may reproduce less often, its behavior helps ensure that a close relative does successfully reproduce, thus passing on a large share of the altruistic individual's genetic material.
Cultural definitions for altruism
altruism
[ (al-trooh-iz-uhm) ]
A selfless concern for others.