Definition of altruism

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< altricial

Al Ubayyid >

al·tru·ism    (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.

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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)