the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others: He has a pleasing personality.
a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities: He is a curious personality.
Psychology.
the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.
the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity.
the essential character of a person.
something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing: This house has a warm personality.
a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.
application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.
a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person: The political debate deteriorated into personalities.
Origin of personality
1350–1400;Middle Englishpersonalite (< Middle French) < Late Latinpersōnālitās. See personal, -ity
late 14c., "quality or fact of being a person," from Medieval Latin personalitatem (nominative personalitas), from Late Latin personalis (see personal). Sense of "a distinctive character" is first recorded 1795, from French personnalité.
Personality is the supreme realization of the innate idiosyncrasy of a living being. It is an act of courage flung in the face of life, the absolute affirmation of all that constitutes the individual, the most successful adaptation to the universal conditions of existence, coupled with the greatest possible freedom of self-determination. [C.G. Jung, 1875-1961]
Meaning "person whose character stands out from that of others" is from 1889. Personality cult is attested from 1956.
