self-preservation
UK[ˌselfˌprezəˈveɪʃn]US[ˌselfˌprezərˈveɪʃn]
n
the instinctive desire to keep oneself safe from harm or death
n
the act of protecting oneself, especially one's own interests or reputation
Morpheme Breakdown
self
preservation
self
own
preservation
act of keeping safe
Etymology
The word is a modern English compound formed from two established elements. 'Self' is a deeply rooted Germanic word, traceable to Proto-Germanic selbaz and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European sel-, meaning 'of oneself'. 'Preservation' entered English from Latin via French, built on 'prae-' (before) and 'servare' (to keep, guard). The compound 'self-preservation' logically combines these parts: the action (preservation) directed towards the subject (self). It first appeared in the early 17th century, encapsulating a key Enlightenment concept—the natural instinct of an organism to prioritize its own safety and continued existence, which philosophers like Hobbes argued was a fundamental law of nature.
Analysis
Structure: self (own) + preservation (act of keeping safe)
self: From Old English 'self', 'seolf', 'sylf', meaning 'one's own person'. It functions as a prefix denoting something directed at, for, or by oneself.
preservation: From Latin 'praeservare' (to keep, guard beforehand), via Old French. In this compound, it functions as the core noun meaning 'the act of keeping safe'.
Examples
The animal's primary instinct is self-preservation.
His confession in court was motivated more by self-preservation than by a sense of guilt.
In extreme situations, the drive for self-preservation can override all other considerations.