a single human being, as distinguished from a group.
2.
a person: a strange individual.
3.
a distinct, indivisible entity; a single thing, being, instance, or item.
4.
a group considered as a unit.
5.
Biology.
a.
a single organism capable of independent existence.
b.
a member of a compound organism or colony.
6.
Cards. a duplicate-bridge tournament in which each player plays the same number of hands in partnership with every other player, individual scores for each player being kept for each hand.
–adjective
7.
single; particular; separate: to number individual copies of a limited edition.
8.
intended for the use of one person only: to serve individual portions of a pizza.
9.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a particular person or thing: individual tastes.
10.
distinguished by special, singular, or markedly personal characteristics; exhibiting unique or unusual qualities: a highly individual style of painting.
11.
existing as a distinct, indivisible entity, or considered as such; discrete: individual parts of a tea set.
12.
of which each is different or of a different design from the others: a set of individual coffee cups.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < ML indīviduālis, equiv. to L indīvidu(us) indivisible (in-in-3+ dīvid(ere) to divide+ -uus deverbal adj. suffix) + -ālis-al1]
—Usage note 1, 2. As a synonym for person,individual is standard, occurring in all varieties of speech and writing: Three individuals entered the room, each carrying a sheaf of papers. Some object to this use, insisting that individual can mean only “a single human being, as distinguished from a group”: An individual may have concerns that are ignored by his or her party.
Of or relating to an individual, especially a single human: individual consciousness.
By or for one person: individual work; an individual portion.
Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic: an individual way of dressing.
Special; particular: Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.
Serving to identify or set apart: "There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek"(Rebecca West).
Existing as a distinct entity; separate: individual drops of rain.
Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic: an individual way of dressing.
Special; particular: Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.
Serving to identify or set apart: "There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek"(Rebecca West).
n.
A single human considered apart from a society or community: the rights of the individual.
A human regarded as a unique personality: always treated her clients as individuals.
A person distinguished from others by a special quality.
Usage Problem A person.
A single animal or plant as distinguished from a species, community, or group.
A member of a collection or set; a specimen.
[Middle English, single, indivisible, from Old French, from Medieval Latin indīviduālis, from Latin indīviduus : in-, not; see in-1 + dīviduus, divisible (from dīvidere, to divide).]
in'di·vid'u·al·ly adv.
Usage Note: The noun individual is normally used to refer to an individual person as opposed to a larger social group or as distinguished from others by some special quality: This is not only a crisis of individuals, but also of a society (Raymond Williams). She is a real individual. Since the 19th century, however, there have been numerous objections to the use of the word to refer simply to "person" where no larger contrast is implied, as in Two individuals were placed under arrest or The Mayor will make time for any individual who wants to talk to her. This use of individual is common in official statements, as the examples imply, and lends a formal or even pretentious tone that may be undesirable. The words person and people are acceptable, neutral options that are appropriate in almost any context.
"a single object or thing," 1605, from M.L. individualis, from L. individuus "indivisible," from in- "not" + dividuus "divisible," from dividere "divide." Colloquial sense of "person" is attested from 1742. As an adj., used from c.1425 meaning "one and indivisible" (with ref. to the Trinity). Sense of "single, separate" is 1613; meaning "intended for one person" is from 1889. Individualism "self-centered feeling" is from 1827; as a social philosophy (opposed to communism and socialism) first attested 1851 in writings of J.S. Mill. Individuality "the aggregate of one's idiosyncrasies" is from 1614.
"A majority can never replace the individual. ... Just as a hundred fools do not make one wise man, a heroic decision is not likely to come from a hundred cowards." [Adolf Hitler, "Mein Kampf," 1933]
being or characteristic of a single thing or person; "individual drops of rain"; "please mark the individual pages"; "they went their individual ways" [ant: common]
2.
separate and distinct from others of the same kind; "mark the individual pages"; "on a case-by-case basis"
3.
characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing; "an individual serving"; "single occupancy"; "a single bed"
4.
concerning one person exclusively; "we all have individual cars"; "each room has a private bath"
noun
1.
a human being; "there was too much for one person to do" [syn: person]
In`di*vid"u*al\ (?; 135), a. [L. individuus indivisible; pref. in- not + dividuus divisible, fr. dividere to divide: cf. F. individuel. See Divide.]1. Not divided, or not to be divided; existing as one entity, or distinct being or object; single; one; as, an individual man, animal, or city. Mind has a being of its own, distinct from that of all other things, and is pure, unmingled, individual substance. --A. Tucker. United as one individual soul. --Milton. 2. Of or pertaining to one only; peculiar to, or characteristic of, a single person or thing; distinctive; as, individual traits of character; individual exertions; individual peculiarities.
In`di*vid"u*al\, n. 1. A single person, animal, or thing of any kind; a thing or being incapable of separation or division, without losing its identity; especially, a human being; a person. --Cowper. An object which is in the strict and primary sense one, and can not be logically divided, is called an individual. --Whately. That individuals die, his will ordains. --Dryden. 2. (Zo["o]l.) (a) An independent, or partially independent, zooid of a compound animal. (b) The product of a single egg, whether it remains a single animal or becomes compound by budding or fission.
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