— autist , n. — autistic /aw tis"tik/ , adj. — autistically , adv.
/aw"tiz euhm/ , n.
1. Psychiatry. a pervasive developmental disorder of children, characterized by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.
2. a tendency to view life in terms of one's own needs and desires.
[ 1910-15; AUT- + -ISM ]