Dictionary

1self

pronoun \ˈself, Southern also ˈsef\

Definition of SELF

:  myself, himself, herself <a check payable to self>
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Origin of SELF

Middle English (intensive pron.), from Old English; akin to Old High German selb, intensive pron., and probably to Latin suus one's own — more at suicide
First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with SELF

2self

adjective

Definition of SELF

1
obsolete :  identical, same
2
obsolete :  belonging to oneself :  own
3
a :  having a single character or quality throughout; specifically :  having one color only <a self flower>
b :  of the same kind (as in color, material, or pattern) as something with which it is used <self trimming>

First Known Use of SELF

before 12th century

3self

noun

: the person that someone normally or truly is

: a particular part of your personality or character that is shown in a particular situation

: the personality or character that makes a person different from other people : the combination of emotions, thoughts, feelings, etc., that make a person different from others

plural selves \ˈselvz, Southern also ˈsevz\

Full Definition of SELF

1
a :  the entire person of an individual
b :  the realization or embodiment of an abstraction
2
a (1) :  an individual's typical character or behavior <her true self was revealed> (2) :  an individual's temporary behavior or character <his better self>
b :  a person in prime condition <feel like my old self today>
3
:  the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person
4
:  personal interest or advantage
5
:  material that is part of an individual organism <ability of the immune system to distinguish self from nonself>

First Known Use of SELF

13th century

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

4self

verb

Definition of SELF

transitive verb
1
:  inbreed
2
:  to pollinate with pollen from the same flower or plant
intransitive verb
:  to undergo self-pollination

First Known Use of SELF

1905
SELF Defined for Kids

self

noun \ˈself\
plural selves \ˈselvz\

Definition of SELF for Kids

1
:  a person regarded as an individual apart from everyone else
2
:  a special side of a person's character <He isn't his cheerful self today.>
Medical Dictionary

self

noun \ˈself\
plural selves \ˈselvz\

Medical Definition of SELF

1
:  the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person
2
:  material that is part of an individual organism <ability of the immune system to distinguish self from nonself>
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