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These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'altruism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Altruism refers to a quality possessed by people whose focus is on something other than themselves, and its root reveals the object of those generous tendencies. Altruism derives from the French word autrui, meaning "other people." Autrui in turn developed from the Old French term autre, which means "other" and which itself comes from Latin alter, also meaning "other." That Latin source eventually caused a curious thing to happen. Under the influence of alter, the French autrui gave rise to the altrui- of both the French altruisme and the English altruism. The English term has been in use since at least the mid-1800s.
First Known Use: 1853
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same year: feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness
See words that rhyme with altruism Spanish Central: Translation of altruism Nglish: Translation of altruism for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of altruism for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about altruism
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