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Definition of altruism


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al·tru·ism  audio  (ltr-zm) KEY  

NOUN:
  1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.
  2. Zoology Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of the species.

ETYMOLOGY:
French altruisme, probably from Italian altrui, someone else, from Latin alter, other; see al- 1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
altru·ist (Noun), altru·istic (Adjective), altru·isti·cal·ly (Adverb)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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