selfhood

American  

[self-hood] / ˈsɛlf hʊd /

noun

1. the state of being an individual person; individuality.

2. one's personality.

3. selfishness.

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selfhood British  

/ ˈsɛlfhʊd /

noun

1. philosophy

   1. the state of having a distinct identity

   2. the individuality so possessed

2. a person's character

3. the quality of being egocentric

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Etymology

Origin of selfhood

First recorded in 1640–50; self + -hood

Example Sentences

In Mr. Persico’s account, the Protestant Reformation completed the project that Genesis began, entrenching individual autonomy and selfhood in Western culture.

From The Wall Street Journal

As she did in the novel “No One Is Talking About This,” Ms. Lockwood deploys a wildly comic voice to explore big questions about suffering and selfhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Every time you do a practice like that, you’re literally opening up a new neuronal pattern in your brain that expands your selfhood, your ability and that wonderful word we use called ‘resilience.’”

From Los Angeles Times

The Guardian’s four-star review praised the record’s introspective depth, particularly how it wrestles with “the question of Smith’s own selfhood”.

From BBC

Through her art and writing, she explores and dissects mental health, selfhood and relationships.

From Seattle Times