/ ˈɔːtɪzəm; NAmE / noun
[ U ] a mental condition in which a person is unable to communicate or form relationships with others
► aut·is·tic / ɔːˈtɪstɪk; NAmE / adjective :
autistic behaviour / children
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WORD ORIGIN
early 20th cent.: from Greek autos self + -ism .