individualist
UK[ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪst]US[ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəlɪst]
n
A person who is independent and self-reliant, or who believes that individual people are more important than groups or society.
n
A person who behaves or thinks in their own original way rather than doing or thinking the same as others.
adj
Relating to or characteristic of the belief that individual people are more important than groups or society.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
divid
ualist
in
divid
ualist
Etymology
The word 'individualist' is built upon the core concept of the 'individual', which originates from the Medieval Latin 'individuus', meaning "indivisible" or "undivided". This Latin term itself was formed from the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'dividuus' (divisible), derived from 'dividere' (to divide). The literal sense of "that which cannot be divided" evolved philosophically to denote a single, distinct human being as the fundamental unit of society. By adding the agent suffix '-ist' to 'individual', the term 'individualist' emerged to describe a person who emphasizes the moral worth, independence, and rights of the single person over collective systems.
Analysis
Structure: in + divid + ualist
- in (Latin): A prefix meaning "not" or "un-", indicating negation or indivisibility.
- divid (Latin): From the root of 'dividere', meaning "to divide" or "to separate".
- ualist (Latin/English): A compound suffix combining '-ual' (relating to) and '-ist' (one who believes in or practices), forming an agent noun.
Examples
He was a staunch individualist who refused to conform to the company's dress code.
Her individualist approach to painting set her apart from the mainstream art movement.
The philosophy values the individualist spirit but also acknowledges social responsibilities.