Main Entry: al·tru·ism

Pronunciation: \ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm\

Etymology: French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin alter

Date: 1853

1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2 : behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species

— al·tru·ist \-trü-ist\ noun

— al·tru·is·tic \ˌal-trü-ˈis-tik\ adjective

— al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb