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 existence2 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