— personalness , n.
/perr"seuh nl/ , adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or coming as from a particular person; individual; private: a personal opinion.
2. relating to, directed to, or intended for a particular person: a personal favor; one's personal life; a letter marked "Personal."
3. intended for use by one person: a personal car.
4. referring or directed to a particular person in a disparaging or offensive sense or manner, usually involving character, behavior, appearance, etc.: personal remarks.
5. making personal remarks or attacks: to become personal in a dispute.
6. done, carried out, held, etc., in person: a personal interview.
7. pertaining to or characteristic of a person or self-conscious being: That is my personal belief.
8. of the nature of an individual rational being.
9. pertaining to the body, clothing, or appearance: personal cleanliness.
10. provided for one's discretionary use: Employees are allowed 15 vacation days and two personal days.
11. Gram.
a. noting person: In Latin porto "I carry," -o is a personal ending.
b. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the personal pronoun.
12. Law. of or pertaining to personal property: personal interests.
n.
13. Journalism.
a. a short news paragraph in a newspaper concerning a particular person, as one who is socially prominent, or a group of particular persons who are socially prominent.
b. a brief, private notice in a newspaper or magazine, often addressed to a particular person and typically bearing an abbreviated salutation and signature to preserve its confidentiality, usually printed in a special part of the classified advertising section.
c. a similar notice placed by a person seeking companionship, a spouse, etc.
d. Usually, personals . a column, page, or section of a newspaper, magazine, etc., featuring such notices or items.
[ 1350-1400; ME personalis. See PERSON, -AL 1 ]