Main Entry: per·son·al·i·ty

Pronunciation: \ˌpər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē, ˌpər-ˈsna-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural per·son·al·i·ties

Etymology: Middle English personalite, from Anglo-French personalité, from Late Latin personalitat-, personalitas, from personalis

Date: 15th century

1 a : the quality or state of being a person b : personal existence
2 a : the condition or fact of relating to a particular person; specifically : the condition of referring directly to or being aimed disparagingly or hostilely at an individual b : an offensively personal remark <angrily resorted to personalities>
3 a : the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual or a nation or group; especially : the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics b : a set of distinctive traits and characteristics <the energetic personality of the city>
4 a : distinction or excellence of personal and social traits; also : a person having such quality b : a person of importance, prominence, renown, or notoriety <a TV personality>

synonyms see disposition