person

per·son

noun \ˈpər-s^ən\

Definition of PERSON

1

: human, individual —sometimes used in combination especially by those who prefer to avoid man in compounds applicable to both sexes <chairperson> <spokesperson>

2

: a character or part in or as if in a play : guise

3

a : one of the three modes of being in the Trinitarian Godhead as understood by Christians b : the unitary personality of Christ that unites the divine and human natures

4

a archaic : bodily appearance b : the body of a human being; also : the body and clothing <unlawful search of the person>

5

: the personality of a human being : self

6

: one (as a human being, a partnership, or a corporation) that is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties

7

: reference of a segment of discourse to the speaker, to one spoken to, or to one spoken of as indicated by means of certain pronouns or in many languages by verb inflection

— per·son·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun

— in person

: in one's bodily presence <the movie star appeared in person>

Examples of PERSON

1. She is a very nice person.
2. I saw a person standing on the dock.
3. Any person who wants a refund must have a receipt.
4. Most people here are quite friendly.
5. The tickets are $25 per person.
6. The person at the front desk will be able to help you.
7. The tax break is only applicable to persons in a high income bracket.
8. I like her as a person, but she is not a very good writer.
9. The disease is easily transmitted from person to person.
10. The dogs discovered that the men were hiding drugs about their persons.

Origin of PERSON

Middle English, from Anglo-French persone, from Latin persona actor's mask, character in a play, person, probably from Etruscan phersu mask, from Greek prosōpa, plural of prosōpon face, mask — more at prosopopoeia

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PERSON

Synonyms: baby, being, bird, bod [British], body, character, cookie (or cooky), creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, human, personage, scout, slob, sort, soul, specimen, stiff, thing, wight

Related Words: hominid, homo, humanoid; brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor; celebrity, personality, self, somebody

Near Antonyms: animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter

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Rhymes with PERSON

worsen