ˈpərs ə n, ˈpə̄s-, ˈpəis- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English persone, person, persoun, from Old French persone, persoune, from Latin persona mask (especially one worn by an actor), actor, role, character, person, probably from Etruscan phersu mask
1.
a. : an individual human being
a very interesting person
any person present
b. archaic : personage 3
c. : a human being as distinguished from an animal or thing
only persons can inherit under a will
d. : an inferior human being
people in our position could scarcely know a person in trade socially
the young person I mentioned in my letter
2. archaic : a character or part in or as if in a play : a particular manifestation of individual character whether real or fictional : guise , semblance
3. sometimes capitalized
a. : one of the three modes of being in the Godhead as understood by Trinitarians : hypostasis
b. : the unitary personality of Christ that unites the divine and human natures
4.
a.
(1) archaic : bodily appearance
had a goodly person
(2) : an individual having a specified kind of bodily appearance
a fairer person lost not heaven — John Milton
b. : the body of a human being as distinguished from the mind
pure in mind and person
c. : the body of a human being as presented to public view usually with its appropriate coverings and clothing
an unlawful search of the person
5.
a. : the individual personality of a human being : self
a very touchy person
in his proper person
b. : bodily presence — usually used in the phrase in person
a well-known comedian appearing in person
6. : a human being, a body of persons, or a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity that is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties — see juristic person
7. : any one of the three relations underlying discourse that are distinguished by certain pronouns and in many languages by inflected forms of the verb — see first person , second person , third person
8.
a. : a being characterized by conscious apprehension, rationality, and a moral sense
b. : a being possessing or forming the subject of personality
9. : a living individual unit ; specifically : a single zooid in a compound animal (as a colonial hydrozoan or coral)
•
- in the person of