Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

individual

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅di⋅vid⋅u⋅al

  [in-duh-vij-oo-uhl]
–noun
1. 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.
Use individual in a Sentence
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 -al 1

Synonyms:
2. See person.

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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To individual
in·di·vid·u·al   (ĭn'də-vĭj'ōō-əl)   
adj.  

    1. Of or relating to an individual, especially a single human: individual consciousness.

    2. By or for one person: individual work; an individual portion.

    3. Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic: an individual way of dressing.

    4. Special; particular: Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.

    5. Serving to identify or set apart: "There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek" (Rebecca West).

  2. Existing as a distinct entity; separate: individual drops of rain.

    1. Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic: an individual way of dressing.

    2. Special; particular: Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.

    3. Serving to identify or set apart: "There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek" (Rebecca West).

n.  

    1. A single human considered apart from a society or community: the rights of the individual.

    2. A human regarded as a unique personality: always treated her clients as individuals.

    3. A person distinguished from others by a special quality.

    4. Usage Problem A person.

  2. A single animal or plant as distinguished from a species, community, or group.

  3. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

individual 
"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]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see individual on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori