personality

Definition

Of people, a set of non-physical psychological and social qualities that make one person distinct from another.

Etymology

From Middle English personalite, from Middle French [Term?], from Latin persōnālitās. First attested in the late 14th century. By surface analysis, personal + -ity.

Example Sentences

• "The president has a unique personality."
• "Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground."
• "Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him."