-_lə̇st noun
( -s )
Etymology: French individualiste, from Medieval Latin individualis + French -iste -ist
1. : one that pursues a markedly independent course in thought or action : one that speaks or acts with marked individuality
he is apt to be an individualist who has never mastered the important arts of political cooperation and teamwork — R.E.Fitch
an individualist , independent to excess, in conflict with … society — H.S.Canby
a race of individualists acknowledging no authority save that of their flintlocks — Deneys Reitz
2. : one that advocates or practices individualism
the individualist … was soon transformed into a collectivist — Alexander Brady