I. ˈal.trəˌwizəm, -.ˌtrüˌiz- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French altruisme, from altrui- (alteration — influenced by Latin alter — of French autrui someone else, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, another, from Latin alter other) + -isme -ism
: uncalculated consideration of, regard for, or devotion to others' interests sometimes in accordance with an ethical principle
Christianity, which is a religion of extreme altruism — R.M.Weaver
the conflict is between selfishness and altruism — Estes Kefauver
— compare egoism , egotism
II. noun
: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits the survival of its species
• altruist noun
• altruistic adjective
• altruistically adverb