[al.tru.ism] [F altruisme, fr. autrui other people, fr. OF, oblique case form of autre other, fr. L alter] (1853) 1: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species -- al.tru.ist n -- al.tru.is.tic adj -- al.tru.is.ti.cal.ly adv