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solipsist

 - 4 dictionary results

sol⋅ip⋅sism

  [sol-ip-siz-uhm]
Use solipsist in a Sentence
–noun
1. Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
Origin:
1880–85; sol(i)- 1 + L ips(e) self + -ism

Related forms:
sol⋅ip⋅sis⋅mal, adjective
sol⋅ip⋅sist, noun, adjective
sol⋅ip⋅sis⋅tic  [sol-ip-sis-tik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sol·ip·sism   (sŏl'ĭp-sĭz'əm, sō'lĭp-)   
n.   Philosophy

  1. The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.

  2. The theory or view that the self is the only reality.


[Latin sōlus, alone; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots + Latin ipse, self + -ism.]
sol'ip·sist n., sol'ip·sis'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

solipsism [(sol-uhp-siz-uhm, soh-luhp-siz-uhm)]

The belief that all reality is just one's own imagining of reality, and that one's self is the only thing that exists.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

solipsism 
1874, coined from L. solus "alone" + ipse "self." The view or theory that self is the only object of real knowledge or the only thing that is real.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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