SELFSelf, n.; pl. Selves (.
1. The individual as the object of his own reflective consciousness; the man viewed by his own cognition as the subject of all his mental phenomena, the agent in his own activities, the subject of his own feelings, and the possessor of capacities and character; a person as a distinct individual; a being regarded as having personality. "Those who liked their real selves." Addison. A man's self may be the worst fellow to converse with in the world. Pope. The self, the I, is recognized in every act of intelligence as the subject to which that act belongs. It is I that perceive, I that imagine, I that remember, I that attend, I that compare, I that feel, I that will, I that am conscious. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. Hence, personal interest, or love of private interest; selfishness; as, self is his whole aim.
3. Personification; embodiment. [Poetic.] She was beauty's self. Thomson.
Note: Self is united to certain personal pronouns and pronominal adjectives to express emphasis or distinction. Thus, for emphasis; I myself will write; I will examine for myself; thou thyself shalt go; thou shalt see for thyself; you yourself shall write; you shall see for yourself; he himself shall write; he shall examine for himself; she herself shall write; she shall examine for herself; the child itself shall be carried; it shall be present itself. It is also used reflexively; as, I abhor myself; thou enrichest thyself; he loves himself; she admires herself; it pleases itself; we walue ourselves; ye hurry yourselves; they see themselves. Himself, herself, themselves, are used in the nominative case, as well as in the objective. "Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples." John iv. 2.
Note: Self is used in the formation of innumerable compounds, usually of obvious signification, in most of which it denotes either the agent or the object of the action expressed by the word with which it is joined, or the person in behalf of whom it is performed, or the person or thing to, for, or towards whom or which a quality, attribute, or feeling expressed by the following word belongs, is directed, or is exerted, or from which it proceeds; or it denotes the subject of, or object affected by, such action, quality, attribute, feeling, or the like; as, self-abandoning, self-abnegation, self- abhorring, self-absorbed, self-accusing, self-adjusting, self- balanced, self-boasting, self-canceled, self-combating, self- commendation, self-condemned, self-conflict, self-conquest, self- constituted, self-consumed, self-contempt, self-controlled, self- deceiving, self-denying, self-destroyed, self-disclosure, self- display, self-dominion, self-doomed, self-elected, self-evolved, self-exalting, self-excusing, self-exile, self-fed, self-fulfillment, self-governed, self-harming, self-helpless, self-humiliation, self- idolized, self-inflicted, self-improvement, self-instruction, self- invited, self-judging, self-justification, self-loathing, self- loving, self-maintenance, self-mastered, self-nourishment, self- perfect, self-perpetuation, self-pleasing, self-praising, self- preserving, self-questioned, self-relying, self-restraining, self- revelation, self-ruined, self-satisfaction, self-support, self- sustained, self-sustaining, self-tormenting, self-troubling, self- trust, self-tuition, self-upbraiding, self-valuing, self-worshiping, and many others.
SELF-ABASEDSelf`-a*based", a.
Defn: Humbled by consciousness of inferiority, unworthiness, guilt, or shame.
SELF-ABASEMENTSelf`-a*base"ment, n.
1. Degradation of one's self by one's own act.
2. Humiliation or abasement proceeding from consciousness of inferiority, guilt, or shame.
SELF-ABASINGSelf`-a*bas"ing, a.
Defn: Lowering or humbling one's self.
SELF-ABHORRENCESelf`-ab*hor"rence, n.
Defn: Abhorrence of one's self.
SELF-ABNEGATIONSelf`-ab`ne*ga"tion, n.
Defn: Self-denial; self-renunciation; self-sacrifice.
SELF-ABUSESelf`-abuse", n.
1. The abuse of one's own self, powers, or faculties.
2. Self-deception; delusion. [Obs.] Shak.
3. Masturbation; onanism; self-pollution.
SELF-ACCUSEDSelf"-ac*cused", a.
Defn: Accused by one's self or by one's conscience. "Die self- accused." Cowper.
SELF-ACTINGSelf`-act"ing, a.
Defn: Acting of or by one's self or by itself; — said especially of a machine or mechanism which is made to perform of or for itself what is usually done by human agency; automatic; as, a self-acting feed apparatus; a self-acting mule; a self-acting press.
SELF-ACTIONSelf`-ac"tion, n.
Defn: Action by, or originating in, one's self or itself.
SELF-ACTIVESelf`-ac"tive, a.
Defn: Acting of one's self or of itself; acting without depending on other agents.
SELF-ACTIVITYSelf`-ac*tiv"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-active; self-action.
SELF-ADJUSTINGSelf`-ad*just"ing, a. (Mach.)
Defn: Capable of assuming a desired position or condition with relation to other parts, under varying circumstances, without requiring to be adjusted by hand; — said of a piece in machinery. Self-adjusting bearing (Shafting), a bearing which is supported in such a manner that it may tip to accomodate flexure or displacement of the shaft.
SELF-ADMIRATIONSelf`-ad`mi*ra"tion, n.
Defn: Admiration of one's self.
SELF-AFFAIRSSelf`-af*fairs", n. pl.
Defn: One's own affairs; one's private business. [Obs.] Shak.
SELF-AFFRIGHTEDSelf`-af*fright"ed, a.
Defn: Frightened at or by one's self. Shak.
SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENTSelf`-ag*gran"dize*ment, n.
Defn: The aggrandizement of one's self.
SELF-ANNIHILATEDSelf`-an*ni"hi*la`ted, a.
Defn: Annihilated by one's self.
SELF-ANNIHILATIONSelf`-an*ni`hi*la"tion, n.
Defn: Annihilation by one's own acts; annihilation of one's desires.Addison.
SELF-APPLAUSESelf`-ap*plause", n.
Defn: Applause of one's self.
SELF-APPLYINGSelf`-ap*ply"ing, a.
Defn: Applying to or by one's self.
SELF-APPROVINGSelf`-ap*prov"ing, a.
Defn: Approving one's own action or character by one's own judgment. One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas. Pope.
SELF-ASSERTINGSelf`-as*sert"ing, a.
Defn: asserting one's self, or one's own rights or claims; hence, putting one's self forward in a confident or assuming manner.
SELF-ASSERTIONSelf`-as*ser"tion, n.
Defn: The act of asserting one's self, or one's own rights or claims; the quality of being self-asserting.
SELF-ASSERTIVESelf`-as*sert"ive, a.
Defn: Disposed to self-assertion; self-asserting.
SELF-ASSUMEDSelf`-as*sumed`, a.
Defn: Assumed by one's own act, or without authority.
SELF-ASSUREDSelf`-as*sured`, a.
Defn: Assured by or of one's self; self-reliant; complacent.
SELF-BANISHEDSelf`-ban"ished, a.
Defn: Exiled voluntarily.
SELF-BEGOTTENSelf"-be*got"ten, a.
Defn: Begotten by one's self, or one's own powers.
SELF-BINDERSelf`-bind"er, n.
Defn: A reaping machine containing mechanism for binding the grain into sheaves.
SELF-BORNSelf"-born`, a.
Defn: Born or produced by one's self.
SELF-CENTERED; SELF-CENTREDSelf`-cen"tered, Self`-cen"tred, a.
Defn: Centered in itself, or in one's self. There hangs the ball of earth and water mixt, Self-centered and unmoved. Dryden.
SELF-CENTERING; SELF-CENTRINGSelf`-cen"ter*ing, Self`-cen"tring a.
Defn: Centering in one's self.
SELF-CENTRATIONSelf`-cen*tra"tion, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-centered.
SELF-CHARITYSelf`-char"i*ty, n.
Defn: Self-love. [Obs.] Shak.
SELF-COLORSelf"-col`or, n.
Defn: A color not mixed or variegated.
SELF-COLOREDSelf`-col"ored, a.
Defn: Being of a single color; — applied to flowers, animals, and textile fabrics.
SELF-COMMANDSelf`-com*mand", n.
Defn: Control over one's own feelings, temper, etc.; self-control.
SELF-COMMUNESelf`-com*mune", n.
Defn: Self-communion. [R.]
SELF-COMMUNICATIVESelf`-com*mu"ni*ca*tive, a.
Defn: Imparting or communicating by its own powers.
SELF-COMMUNIONSelf`-com*mun"ion, n.
Defn: Communion with one's self; thoughts about one's self.
SELF-COMPLACENCYSelf`-com*pla"cen*cy, n.
Defn: The quality of being self-complacent. J. Foster.
SELF-COMPLACENTSelf`-com*pla"cent, a.
Defn: Satisfied with one's own character, capacity, and doings; self- satisfied.
SELF-CONCEITSelf`-con*ceit", n.
Defn: Conceit of one's self; an overweening opinion of one's powers or endowments.
Syn.— See Egotism.
SELF-CONCEITEDSelf`-con*ceit"ed, a.
Defn: Having an overweening opinion of one's own powers, attainments;vain; conceited.— Self`-con*ceit"ed*ness, n.
SELF-CONCERNSelf`-con*cern", n.
Defn: Concern for one's self.
SELF-CONDEMNATIONSelf`-con`dem*na"tion, n.
Defn: Condemnation of one's self by one's own judgment.
SELF-CONFIDENCESelf`-con"fi*dence, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-confident; self-reliance.A feeling of self-confidence which supported and sustained him.Beaconsfield.
SELF-CONFIDENTSelf`-con"fi*dent, a.
Defn: Confident of one's own strength or powers; relying on one's judgment or ability; self-reliant. — Self`-con"fi*dent*ly, adv.
SELF-CONJUGATESelf`-con"ju*gate, a. (Geom.)
Defn: Having the two things that are conjugate parts of the same figure; as, self-conjugate triangles.
SELF-CONSCIOUSSelf`-con"scious, a.
1. Conscious of one's acts or state as belonging to, or originating in, one's self. "My self-conscious worth." Dryden.
2. Conscious of one's self as an object of the observation of others; as, the speaker was too self-conscious.
SELF-CONSCIOUSNESSSelf`-con"scious*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-conscious.
SELF-CONSIDERINGSelf`-con*sid"er*ing, a.
Defn: Considering in one's own mind; deliberating. Pope.
SELF-CONSISTENCYSelf`-con*sist"en*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-consistent.
SELF-CONSISTENTSelf`-con*sist"ent, a.
Defn: Consistent with one's self or with itself; not deviation from the ordinary standard by which the conduct is guided; logically consistent throughout; having each part consistent with the rest.
SELF-CONSUMINGSelf`-con*sum"ing, a.
Defn: Consuming one's self or itself.
SELF-CONTAINEDSelf`-con*tained", a.
1. Having self-control; reserved; uncommunicative; wholly engrossed in one's self.
2. (Mach.)
Defn: Having all the essential working parts connected by a bedplate or framework, or contained in a case, etc., so that mutual relations of the parts do not depend upon fastening outside of the machine itself. Self-contained steam engine. (a) A steam engine having both bearings for the crank shaft attached to the frame of the engine. (b) A steam engine and boiler combined and fastened together; a portable steam engine.
SELF-CONTRADICTIONSelf`-con`tra*dic"tion, n.
Defn: The act of contradicting one's self or itself; repugnancy in conceptions or in terms; a proposition consisting of two members, one of which contradicts the other; as, to be and not to be at the same time is a self-contradiction.
SELF-CONTRADICTORYSelf`-con`tra*dict"o*ry, a.
Defn: Contradicting one's self or itself.
SELF-CONTROLSelf`-con*trol", n.
Defn: Control of one's self; restraint exercised over one's self; self-command.
SELF-CONVICTEDSelf`-con*vict"ed, a.
Defn: Convicted by one's own consciousness, knowledge, avowal, or acts.
SELF-CONVICTIONSelf`-con*vic"tion, n.
Defn: The act of convicting one's self, or the state of being self- convicted.
SELF-CREATEDSelf`-cre*at"ed, a.
Defn: Created by one's self; not formed or constituted by another.
SELF-CULTURESelf`-cul"ture, n.
Defn: Culture, training, or education of one's self by one's own efforts.
SELF-DECEITSelf`-de*ceit", n.
Defn: The act of deceiving one's self, or the state of being self- deceived; self-deception.
SELF-DECEIVEDSelf`-de*ceived", a.
Defn: Deceived or misled respecting one's self by one's own mistake or error.
SELF-DECEPTIONSelf`-de*cep"tion, n.
Defn: Self-deceit.
SELF-DEFENCESelf`-de*fence", n.
Defn: See Self-defense.
SELF-DEFENSESelf`-de*fense", n.
Defn: The act of defending one's own person, property, or reputation. In self-defense (Law), in protection of self, — it being permitted in law to a party on whom a grave wrong is attempted to resist the wrong, even at the peril of the life of the assailiant. Wharton.
SELF-DEFENSIVESelf`-de*fen"sive, a.
Defn: Defending, or tending to defend, one's own person, property, or reputation.
SELF-DEGRADATIONSelf`-deg`ra*da"tion, n.
Defn: The act of degrading one's self, or the state of being so degraded.
SELF-DELATIONSelf`-de*la"tion, n.
Defn: Accusation of one's self. [R.] Milman.
SELF-DELUSIONSelf`-de*lu"sion, n.
Defn: The act of deluding one's self, or the state of being thus deluded.
SELF-DENIALSelf`-de*ni"al, n.
Defn: The denial of one's self; forbearing to gratify one's own desires; self-sacrifice.
SELF-DENYINGSelf`-de*ny"ing, a.
Defn: Refusing to gratify one's self; self-sacrificing.— Self`-de*ny"ing*ly, adv.
SELF-DEPENDENTSelf`-de*pend"ent, a.
Defn: Dependent on one's self; self-depending; self-reliant.
SELF-DEPENDINGSelf`-de*pend"ing, a.
Defn: Depending on one's self.
SELF-DEPRAVEDSelf`-de*praved", a.
Defn: Corrupted or depraved by one's self. Milton.
SELF-DESTROYERSelf`-de*stroy"er, n.
Defn: One who destroys himself; a suicide.
SELF-DESTRUCTIONSelf`-de*struc"tion, n.
Defn: The destruction of one's self; self-murder; suicide. Milton.
SELF-DESTRUCTIVESelf`-de*struc"tive, a.
Defn: Destroying, or tending to destroy, one's self or itself; rucidal.
SELF-DETERMINATIONSelf`-de*ter`mi*na"tion, n.
Defn: Determination by one's self; or, determination of one's acts or states without the necessitating force of motives; — applied to the voluntary or activity.
SELF-DETERMININGSelf`-de*ter"min*ing, a.
Defn: Capable of self-determination; as, the self-determining power of will.
SELF-DEVISEDSelf`-de*vised", a.
Defn: Devised by one's self.
SELF-DEVOTEDSelf`-de*vot"ed, a.
Defn: Devoted in person, or by one's own will. Hawthorne.
SELF-DEVOTEMENTSelf`-de*vote"ment, n.
Defn: Self-devotion. [R.]
SELF-DEVOTIONSelf`-de*vo"tion, n.
Defn: The act of devoting one's self, or the state of being self- devoted; willingness to sacrifice one's own advantage or happiness for the sake of others; self-sacrifice.
SELF-DEVOURINGSelf`-de*vour"ing, a.
Defn: Devouring one's self or itself. Danham.
SELF-DIFFUSIVESelf`-dif*fu"sive, a.
Defn: Having power to diffuse itself; diffusing itself. Norris.
SELF-DISCIPLINESelf`-dis"ci*pline, n.
Defn: Correction or government of one's self for the sake of improvement.
SELF-DISTRUSTSelf`-dis*trust", n.
Defn: Want of confidence in one' self; diffidence.
SELF-EDUCATEDSelf`-ed"u*ca`ted, a.
Defn: Educated by one's own efforts, without instruction, or without pecuniary assistance from others.
SELF-ELECTIVESelf`-e*lect"ive, a.
Defn: Having the right of electing one's self, or, as a body, of electing its own members.
SELF-ENJOYMENTSelf`-en*joy"ment, n.
Defn: Enjoyment of one's self; self-satisfaction.
SELF-ESTEEMSelf`-es*teem", n.
Defn: The holding a good opinion of one's self; self-complacency.
SELF-ESTIMATIONSelf`-es`ti*ma"tion, n.
Defn: The act of estimating one's self; self-esteem.
SELF-EVIDENCESelf`-ev"i*dence, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-evident. Locke.
SELF-EVIDENTSelf`-ev"i*dent, a.
Defn: Evident without proof or reasoning; producing certainty orconviction upon a bare presentation to the mind; as, a self-evidentproposition or truth.— Self`-ev"i*dent*ly, adv.
SELF-EVOLUTIONSelf`-ev`o*lu"tion, n.
Defn: Evolution of one's self; development by inherent quality or power.
SELF-EXALTATIONSelf`-ex`al*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of exalting one's self, or the state of being so exalted.
SELF-EXAMINANTSelf`-ex*am"i*nant, n.
Defn: One who examines himself; one given to self-examination. The humiliated self-examinant feels that there is evil in our nature as well as good. Coleridge.
SELF-EXAMINATIONSelf`-ex*am`i*na"tion, n.
Defn: An examination into one's own state, conduct, and motives, particularly in regard to religious feelings and duties.
SELF-EXCITESelf`-ex*cite", v. t. (Elec.)
Defn: To energize or excite (the field magnets of a dynamo) by induction from the residual magnetism of its cores, leading all or a part of the current thus produced through the field-magnet coils.
SELF-EXISTENCESelf`-ex*ist"ence, n.
Defn: Inherent existence; existence possessed by virtue of a being's own nature, and independent of any other being or cause; — an attribute peculiar to God. Blackmore.
SELF-EXISTENTSelf`-ex*ist"ent, a.
Defn: Existing of or by himself,independent of any other being or cause; — as, God is the only self-existent being.
SELF-EXPLAINING self`-ex*plain"ing, a.
Defn: Explaining itself; capable of being understood without explanation.
SELF-EXPOSURESelf`-ex*po"sure, n.
Defn: The act of exposing one's self; the state of being so exposed.
SELF-FERTILIZATIONSelf`-fer`ti*li*za"tion, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The fertilization of a flower by pollen from the same flower and without outer aid; autogamy.
SELF-FERTILIZEDSelf`-fer"ti*lized, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Fertilized by pollen from the same flower.
SELF-GLORIOUSSelf`-glo"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Springing from vainglory or vanity; vain; boastful. Dryden.
SELF-GOVERNMENTSelf`-gov"ern*ment, n.
1. The act of governing one's self, or the state of being governed by one's self; self-control; self-command.
2. Hence, government of a community, state, or nation by the joint action of the mass of people constituting such a civil body; also, the state of being so governed; democratic government; democracy. It is to self-government, the great principle of popular representation and administration, — the system that lets in all to participate in the councels that are to assign the good or evil to all, — that we may owe what we are and what we hope to be. D. Webster.
SELF-GRATULATIONSelf`-grat`u*la"tion, n.
Defn: Gratulation of one's self.
SELF-HARDENINGSelf`-hard"en*ing, a. (Metal.)
Defn: Designating, or pert. to, any of various steels that harden when heated to above a red heat and cooled in air, usually in a blast of cold air with moderate rapidity, without quenching. Such steels are alloys of iron and carbon with manganese, tungsten and manganese, chromium, molybdenum and manganese, etc. They are chiefly used as high-speed steels. — Self`-hard"en*ed, a.
SELF-HEALSelf`-heal", n. (Bot.)
Defn: A blue-flowered labiate plant (Brunella vulgaris); the healall.
SELF-HEALINGSelf`-heal"ing, a.
Defn: Having the power or property of healing itself.
SELF-HELPSelf`-help", n.
Defn: The act of aiding one's self, without depending on the aid of others.
SELF-HOMICIDESelf`-hom"i*cide, n.
Defn: The act of killing one's self; suicide. Hakewill.
SELFHOODSelf"hood, n.
Defn: Existence as a separate self, or independent person; conscious personality; individuality. Bib. Sacra.
SELF-IGNORANCESelf`-ig"no*rance, n.
Defn: Ignorance of one's own character, powers, and limitations.
SELF-IGNORANTSelf`-ig"no*rant, a.
Defn: Ignorant of one's self.
SELF-IMPARTINGSelf`-im*part"ing, a.
Defn: Imparting by one's own, or by its own, powers and will. Norris.
SELF-IMPORTANCESelf`-im*por"tance, n.
Defn: An exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, esp. as manifested by the conduct or manners; self-conceit.
SELF-IMPORTANTSelf`-im*por"tant, a.
Defn: Having or manifesting an exaggerated idea of one's own importance or merit.
SELF-IMPOSEDSelf`-im*posed", a.
Defn: Voluntarily taken on one's self; as, self-imposed tasks.
SELF-IMPOSTURESelf`-im*pos"ture, n.
Defn: Imposture practiced on one's self; self-deceit. South.
SELF-INDIGNATIONSelf`-in`dig*na"tion, n.
Defn: Indignation at one's own character or actions. Baxter.
SELF-INDUCTIONSelf`-in*duc"tion, n. (Elec.)
Defn: Induction in a circuit due to the action of one portion of a current upon an adjacent portion during periods of varying current strength. The nature of the induction is such as to oppose the action which produces it.
SELF-INDULGENCESelf`-in*dul"gence, n.
Defn: Indulgence of one's appetites, desires, or inclinations; — the opposite of self-restraint, and self-denial.
SELF-INDULGENTSelf`-in*dul"gent, a.
Defn: Indulging one's appetites, desires, etc., freely.
SELF-INTERESTSelf`-in"ter*est, n.
Defn: Private interest; the interest or advantage of one's self.
SELF-INTERESTEDSelf`-in"ter*est*ed, a.
Defn: Particularly concerned for one's own interest or happiness.
SELF-INVOLUTIONSelf`-in`vo*lu"tion, n.
Defn: Involution in one's self; hence, abstraction of thought; reverie.
SELFISHSelf"ish, a.
1. Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others. They judge of things according to their own private appetites and selfish passions. Cudworth. In that throng of selfish hearts untrue. Keble.
2. (Ethics)
Defn: Believing or teaching that the chief motives of human action are derived from love of self. Hobbes and the selfish school of philosophers. Fleming.
SELFISHLYSelf"ish*ly, adv.
Defn: In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.
SELFISHNESSSelf"ish*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being selfish; exclusive regard to one's own interest or happiness; that supreme self-love or self- preference which leads a person to direct his purposes to the advancement of his own interest, power, or happiness, without regarding those of others. Selfishness,- a vice utterly at variance with the happiness of him who harbors it, and, as such, condemned by self-love. Sir J. Mackintosh.
Syn.— See Self-love.
SELFISMSelf"ism, n.
Defn: Concentration of one's interests on one's self; self-love; selfishness. Emerson.
SELFISTSelf"ist, n.
Defn: A selfish person. [R.] I. Taylor.
SELF-JUSTIFIERSelf`-jus"ti*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who excuses or justifies himself. J. M. Mason.
SELF-KINDLEDSelf`-kin"dled, a.
Defn: Kindled of itself, or without extraneous aid or power. Dryden.
SELF-KNOWINGSelf`-know"ing, a.
1. Knowing one's self, or one's own character, powers, and limitations.
2. Knowing of itself, without help from another.
SELF-KNOWLEDGESelf`-knowl"edge, n.
Defn: Knowledge of one's self, or of one's own character, powers, limitations, etc.
SELFLESSSelf"less, a.
Defn: Having no regard to self; unselfish. Lo now, what hearts have men! they never mount As high as woman in her selfless mood. Tennyson.
SELFLESSNESSSelf"less*ness, n.
Defn: Quality or state of being selfless.
SELF-LIFESelf"-life`, n.
Defn: Life for one's self; living solely or chiefly for one's own pleasure or good.
SELF-LOVESelf`-love`, n.
Defn: The love of one's self; desire of personal happiness; tendency to seek one's own benefit or advantage. Shak. Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. Pope.
Syn. — Selfishness. — Self-love, Selfishness. The term self-love is used in a twofold sense: 1. It denotes that longing for good or for well-being which actuates the breasts of all, entering into and characterizing every special desire. In this sense it has no moral quality, being, from the nature of the case, neither good nor evil. 2. It is applied to a voluntary regard for the gratification of special desires. In this sense it is morally good or bad according as these desires are conformed to duty or opposed to it. Selfishness is always voluntary and always wrong, being that regard to our own interests, gratification, etc., which is sought or indulged at the expense, and to the injury, of others. "So long as self-love does not degenerate into selfishness, it is quite compatible with true benevolence." Fleming. "Not only is the phrase self-love used as synonymous with the desire of happiness, but it is often confounded with the word selfishness, which certainly, in strict propriety, denotes a very different disposition of mind." Slewart.
SELF-LUMINOUSSelf`-lu"mi*nous, a.
Defn: Possessing in itself the property of emitting light. Sir D.Brewster.
SELF-MADESelf"-made`, a.
Defn: Made by one's self. Self-made man, a man who has risen from poverty or obscurity by means of his own talentss or energies.
SELF-METTLESelf"-met`tle, n
Defn: Inborn mettle or courage; one's own temper. [Obs.] Shak.
SELF-MOTIONSelf`-mo"tion, n.
Defn: Motion given by inherent power, without external impulse; spontaneus or voluntary motion. Matter is not induced with self-motion. Cheyne.
SELF-MOVEDSelf`-moved", a.
Defn: Moved by inherent power., without the aid of external impulse.
SELF-MOVINGSelf`-mov"ing, a.
Defn: Moving by inherent power, without the aid of external impulse.
SELF-MURDERSelf`-mur"der, a.
Defn: Suicide.
SELF-MURDERERSelf`-mur"der*er, n.
Defn: A suicide.
SELF-NEGLECTINGSelf`-neg*lect"ing, n.
Defn: A neglecting of one's self, or of one's own interests.Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin As self-neglecting. Shak.
SELFNESSSelf"ness, n.
Defn: Selfishness. [Obs.] Sir. P. Sidney.
SELF-ONESelf`-one", a.
Defn: Secret. [Obs.] Marston.
SELF-OPINIONSelf`-o*pin"ion, n.
Defn: Opinion, especially high opinion, of one's self; an overweening estimate of one's self or of one's own opinion. Collier.
SELF-OPINIONEDSelf`-o*pin"ioned, a.
Defn: Having a high opinion of one's self; opinionated; conceited.South.
SELF-ORIGINATINGSelf`-o*rig"i*na`ting, a.
Defn: Beginning wwith, or springing from, one's self.
SELF-PARTIALITYSelf`-par`ti*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: That partiality to himself by which a man overrates his own worth when compared with others. Kames.
SELF-PERPLEXEDSelf`-per*plexed", a.
Defn: Perplexed by doubts originating in one's own mind.
SELF-POSITEDSelf`-pos"it*ed, a.
Defn: Disposed or arranged by an action originating in one's self orin itself.These molecular blocks of salt are self-posited. Tyndall.
SELF-POSITINGSelf`-pos"it*ing, a.
Defn: The act of disposing or arranging one's self or itself.The self-positing of the molecules. R. Watts.
SELF-POSSESSEDSelf"-pos*sessed", a.
Defn: Composed or tranquill in mind, manner, etc.; undisturbed.
SELF-POSSESSIONSelf`-pos*ses"sion, n.
Defn: The possession of one's powers; calmness; self-command; presence of mind; composure.
SELF-PRAISESelf"-praise`, n.
Defn: Praise of one's self.
SELF-PRESERVATIONSelf`-pres`er*va"tion, n.
Defn: The preservation of one's self from destruction or injury.
SELF-PROPAGATINGSelf`-prop"a*ga`ting, a.
Defn: Propagating by one's self or by itself.
SELF-REGISTERINGSelf`-reg"is*ter*ing, a.
Defn: Registering itself; — said of any instrument so contrived as to record its own indications of phenomena, whether continuously or at stated times, as at the maxima and minima of variations; as, a self-registering anemometer or barometer.
SELF-REGULATEDSelf`-reg"u*la`ted, a.
Defn: Regulated by one's self or by itself.
SELF-REGULATIVESelf`-reg"u*la*tive, a.
Defn: Tending or serving to regulate one's self or itself. Whewell.
SELF-RELIANCESelf`-re*li"ance, n.
Defn: Reliance on one's own powers or judgment; self-trust.
SELF-RELIANTSelf`-re*li"ant, a.
Defn: Reliant upon one's self; trusting to one's own powers or judgment.
SELF-RENUNCIATIONSelf`-re*nun`ci*a"tion, n.
Defn: The act of renouncing, or setting aside, one's own wishes, claims, etc.; self-sacrifice.
SELF-REPELLENCYSelf`-re*pel"len*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-repelling.
SELF-REPELLINGSelf`-re*pel"ling, ( a.
Defn: Made up of parts, as molecules or atoms, which mutually repel each other; as, gases are self-repelling.
SELF-REPETITIONSelf`-rep`e*ti"tion, n.
Defn: Repetition of one's self or of one's acts; the saying or doing what one has already said or done.
SELF-REPROACHSelf`-re*proach", n.
Defn: The act of reproaching one's self; censure by one's own conscience.
SELF-REPROACHEDSelf`-re*proached", a.
Defn: Reproached by one's own conscience or judgment.
SELF-REPROACHINGSelf`-re*proach"ing, a.
Defn: Reproaching one's self.— Self`-re*proach"ing*ly, adv.
SELF-REPROOFSelf`-re*proof", n.
Defn: The act of reproving one's self; censure of one's conduct by one's own judgment.
SELF-REPROVEDSelf`-re*proved", a.
Defn: Reproved by one's own conscience or one's own sense of guilt.
SELF-REPROVINGSelf`-re*prov"ing, a.
Defn: Reproving one's self; reproving by consciousness of guilt.
SELF-REPROVINGLYSelf`-re*prov"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a self-reproving way.
SELF-REPUGNANTSelf`-re*pug"nant, a.
Defn: Self-contradictory; inconsistent. Brougham.
SELF-REPULSIVESelf`-re*pul"sive, a.
Defn: Self-repelling.
SELF-RESPECTSelf`-re*spect", n.
Defn: Respect for one's self; regard for one's character; laudable self-esteem.
SELF-RESTRAINEDSelf`-re*strained", a.
Defn: Restrained by one's self or itself; restrained by one's own power or will.
SELF-RESTRAINTSelf`-re*straint", n.
Defn: Restraint over one's self; self-control; self-command.
SELF-REVERENCESelf`-rev"er*ence, n.
Defn: A reverent respect for one's self. Tennyson.
SELF-RIGHTEOUSSelf`-right"eous, a.
Defn: Righteous in one's own esteem; pharisaic.
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESSSelf`-right"eous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-righteous; pharisaism.
SELF-SACRIFICESelf`-sac"ri*fice, n.
Defn: The act of sacrificing one's self, or one's interest, for others; self-devotion.
SELF-SACRIFICINGSelf`-sac"ri*fi`cing, a.
Defn: Yielding up one's own interest, ffeelings, etc; sacrificing one's self.
SELFSAMESelf"same, a. Etym: [Self, a. + same.]
Defn: Precisely the same; the very same; identical.His servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matt. viii. 13.
SELF-SATISFACTIONSelf`-sat`is*fac"tion, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-satisfied.
SELF-SATISFIEDSelf`-sat"is*fied, a.
Defn: Satisfied with one's self or one's actions; self-complacent.
SELF-SATISFYINGSelf`-sat"is*fy`ing, a.
Defn: Giving satisfaction to one's self.
SELF-SEEKERSelf"-seek`er, n.
Defn: One who seeks only his own interest, advantage, or pleasure.
SELF-SEEKINGSelf"-seek`ing, a.
Defn: Seeking one's own interest or happiness; selfish. Arbuthnot.
SELF-SEEKINGSelf"-seek`ing, n.
Defn: The act or habit of seeking one's own interest or happiness; selfishness.
SELF-SLAUGHTERSelf`-slaugh"ter, n.
Defn: Suicide. Shak.
SELF-STARTERSelf`-start"er, n.
Defn: A mechanism (usually one operated by electricity, compressed air, a spring, or an explosive gas), attached to an internal- combustion engine, as on an automobile, and used as a means of starting the engine without cranking it by hand.
SELF-SUFFICIENCYSelf`-suf*fi"cien*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being self-sufficient.
SELF-SUFFICIENTSelf`-suf*fi"cient, a.
1. Sufficient for one's self without external aid or coöperation. Neglect of friends can never be proved rational till we prove the person using it omnipotent and self-sufficient, and such as can never need any mortal assistance. South.
2. Having an overweening confidence in one's own abilities or worth; hence, haughty; overbearing. "A rash and self-sufficient manner." I. Watts.
SELF-SUFFICINGSelf`-suf*fi"cing, a.
Defn: Sufficing for one's self or for itself, without needing external aid; self-sufficient. — Self`-suf*fi"cing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.
SELF-SUSPENDEDSelf`-sus*pend"ed, a.
Defn: Suspended by one's self or by itself; balanced. Southey.
SELF-SUSPICIOUSSelf`-sus*pi"cious, a.
Defn: Suspicious or distrustful of one's self. Baxter.
SELF-TAUGHTSelf"-taught`, a.
Defn: Taught by one's own efforts.
SELF-TORMENTORSelf`-tor*ment"or, n.
Defn: One who torments himself.
SELF-TORTURESelf`-tor"ture, n.
Defn: The act of inflicting pain on one's self; pain inflicted on one's self.
SELF-TRUSTSelf"-trust`, n.
Defn: Faith in one's self; self-reliance.
SELF-UNEDSelf`-uned", a. Etym: [E. self + L. unus one.]
Defn: One with itself; separate from others. [Obs.] Sylvester.
SELF-VIEWSelf"-view`, n.
Defn: A view if one's self; specifically, carefulness or regard for one's own interests
SELF-WILLSelf`-will", n. Etym: [AS. selfwill.]
Defn: One's own will, esp. when opposed to that of others; obstinacy.
SELF-WILLEDSelf`-willed", a.
Defn: Governed by one's own will; not yielding to the wishes of others; obstinate.
SELF-WILLEDNESSSelf`-willed"ness, n.
Defn: Obstinacy. Sir W. Scott.
SELF-WORSHIPSelf"-wor`ship, n.
Defn: The idolizing of one's self; immoderate self-conceit.
SELF-WRONGSelf"-wrong`, n.
Defn: Wrong done by a person himself. Shak.
SELION Sel"ion, n. Etym: [OF. seillon a measure of land, F. sillon a ridge, furrow, LL. selio a measure of land.]
Defn: A short piece of land in arable ridges and furrows, of uncertain quantity; also, a ridge of land lying between two furrows. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
SELJUKIANSel*juk"i*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Seljuk, a Tartar chief who embraced Mohammedanism, and began the subjection of Western Asia to that faith and rule; of or pertaining to the dynasty founded by him, or the empire maintained by his descendants from the 10th to the 13th century. J. H. Newman.
SELJUKIAN; SELJUCKIANSel*juk"i*an, Sel*juck"i*an, n.
Defn: A member of the family of Seljuk; an adherent of that family, or subject of its government; (pl.) the dynasty of Turkish sultans sprung from Seljuk.
SELLSell, n.
Defn: Self. [Obs. or Scot.] B. Jonson.
SELLSell, n.
Defn: A sill. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SELLSell, n.
Defn: A cell; a house. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SELLSell, n. Etym: [F. selle, L. sella, akin to sedere to sit. See Sit.]
1. A saddle for a horse. [Obs.] He left his lofty steed with golden self. Spenser.
2. A throne or lofty seat. [Obs.] Fairfax.
SELL Sell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sold; p. pr. & vb. n. Selling.] Etym: [OE. sellen, sillen, AS. sellan, syllan, to give, to deliver; akin to OS. sellian, OFries. sella, OHG. sellen, Icel. selja to hand over, to sell, Sw. sälja to sell, Dan. s, Goth. saljan to offer a sacrifice; all from a noun akin to E. sale. Cf. Sale.]
1. To transfer to another for an equivalent; to give up for a valuable consideration; to dispose of in return for something, especially for money. If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor. Matt. xix. 21. I am changed; I'll go sell all my land. Shak.
Note: Sell is corellative to buy, as one party buys what the other sells. It is distinguished usually from exchange or barter, in which one commodity is given for another; whereas in selling the consideration is usually money, or its representative in current notes.
2. To make a matter of bargain and sale of; to accept a price or reward for, as for a breach of duty, trust, or the like; to betray. You would have sold your king to slaughter. Shak.
3. To impose upon; to trick; to deceive; to make a fool of; to cheat. [Slang] Dickens. To sell one's life dearly, to cause much loss to those who take one's life, as by killing a number of one's assailants. — To sell (anything) out, to dispose of it wholly or entirely; as, he had sold out his corn, or his interest in a business.
SELLSell, v. i.
1. To practice selling commodities. I will buy with you, sell with you; . . . but I will not eat with you. Shak.
2. To be sold; as, corn sells at a good price. To sell out, to sell one's whole stockk in trade or one's entire interest in a property or a business.
SELLSell, n.
Defn: An imposition; a cheat; a hoax. [Colloq.]
SELLANDERS; SELLENDERSSel"lan*ders, Sel"len*ders, n. pl. (Far.)
Defn: See Sallenders.
SELLERSell"er, n.
Defn: One who sells. Chaucer.
SELTERS WATERSel"ters wa"ter.
Defn: A mineral water from Sellers, in the district of Nassan,Germany, containing much free carbonic acid.
SELTZER WATERSelt"zer wa"ter.
Defn: See Selters water.
SELTZO-GENESelt"zo-gene, n. Etym: [Seltzer water + the root of Gr.
Defn: A gazogene.
SELVAGE; SELVEDGE Sel"vage, Sel"vedge, n. Etym: [Self + edge, i. e., its own proper edge; cf. OD. selfegge.]
1. The edge of cloth which is woven in such a manner as to prevent raveling.
2. The edge plate of a lock, through which the bolt passes. Knight.
3. (Mining.)
Defn: A layer of clay or decomposed rock along the wall of a vein.See Gouge, n., 4. Raymond.
SELVAGED; SELVEDGEDSel"vaged, Sel"vedged, a.
Defn: Having a selvage.
SELVAGEESel`va*gee", n. (Naut.)
Defn: A skein or hank of rope yarns wound round with yarns or marline, — used for stoppers, straps, etc.
SELVESelve, a.
Defn: Self; same. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SELVESSelves, n.,
Defn: pl. of Self.
SELYSe"ly, a.
Defn: Silly. [Obs.] Chaucer. Wyclif.
SEMAEOSTOMATASe*mæ`o*stom"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Discophora having large free mouth lobes. It includes Aurelia, and Pelagia. Called also Semeostoma. See Illustr. under Discophora, and Medusa.
SEMAPHORESem"a*phore, n. Etym: [Gr. sémaphore.]
Defn: A signal telegraph; an apparatus for giving signals by the disposition of lanterns, flags, oscillating arms, etc.
SEMAPHORIC; SEMAPHORICALSem`a*phor"ic, Sem`a*phor"ic*al a. Etym: [Cf. F. sémaphorique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a semaphore, or semaphores; telegraphic.
SEMAPHORICALLYSem`a*phor"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By means a semaphore.
SEMAPHORISTSe*maph"o*rist, n.
Defn: One who manages or operates a semaphore.
SEMASIOLOGYSe*ma`si*ol"o*gy, n. [Gr. signification + -logy.] (Philol.)
Defn: The science of meanings or sense development (of words); the explanation of the development and changes of the meanings of words. —Se*ma`si*o*log"ic*al (#), a.
SEMATICSe*mat"ic, a. [Gr. , , sign, token.]
Defn: Significant; ominous; serving as a warning of danger; —applied esp. to the warning colors or forms of certain animals.
SEMATOLOGYSem`a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The doctrine of signs as the expression of thought or reasoning; the science of indicating thought by signs. Smart.
SEMATROPESem"a*trope, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An instrument for signaling by reflecting the rays of the sun in different directions. Knight.
SEMBLABLE Sem"bla*ble, a. Etym: [F., from sembler to seem, resemble, L. similare, simulare. See Simulate.]
Defn: Like; similar; resembling. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SEMBLABLESem"bla*ble, n.
Defn: Likeness; representation. [Obs.]
SEMBLABLYSem"bla*bly, adv.
Defn: In like manner. [Obs.] Shak.
SEMBLANCESem"blance, n. Etym: [F. See Semblable, a.]
1. Seeming; appearance; show; figure; form. Thier semblance kind, and mild their gestures were. Fairfax.
2. Likeness; resemblance, actual or apparent; similitude; as, the semblance of worth; semblance of virtue. Only semblances or imitations of shells. Woodward.
SEMBLANTSem"blant, a. Etym: [F. semblant, p. pr.]
1. Like; resembling. [Obs.] Prior.
2. Seeming, rather than real; apparent. [R.] Carlyle.
SEMBLANTSem"blant, n. Etym: [F.]
1. Show; appearance; figure; semblance. [Obs.] Spenser. His flatterers made semblant of weeping. Chaucer.
2. The face. [Obs.] Wyclif (Luke xxiv. 5).
SEMBLATIVESem"bla*tive, a.
Defn: Resembling. [Obs.]And all is semblative a woman's part. Shak.
SEMBLESem"ble, v. i. Etym: [F. sembler. See Semblable, a.]
1. To imitate; to make a representation or likeness. [Obs.] Where sembling art may carve the fair effect. Prior.
2. (Law)
Defn: It seems; — chiefly used impersonally in reports and judgments to express an opinion in reference to the law on some point not necessary to be decided, and not intended to be definitely settled in the cause.
SEMBLESem"ble, a.
Defn: Like; resembling. [Obs.] T. Hudson.
SEMBLINGSem"bling, n. Etym: [Cf. Assemble.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The practice of attracting the males of Lepidoptera or other insects by exposing the female confined in a cage.
Note: It is often adopted by collectors in order to procure specimens of rare species.
SEMESe*mé", a. Etym: [F. semé, fr. semer to sow.] (Her.)
Defn: Sprinkled or sown; — said of field, or a charge, when strewed or covered with small charges.
SEMEIOGRAPHY; SEMIOGRAPHY Se`mei*og"ra*phy, or; Se`mi*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on sign + -graphy.] (Med.)
Defn: A description of the signs of disease.
SEMEIOLOGICAL; SEMIOLOGIOALSe`mei*o*log"ic*al, or; Se`mi*o*log"io*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the science of signs, or the systematic use of signs; as, a semeiological classification of the signs or symptoms of disease; a semeiological arrangement of signs used as signals.
SEMEIOLOGY; SEMIOLOGY Se`mei*ol"o*gy, or Se`mi*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on a mark, a sign + -logy.]
Defn: The science or art of signs. Specifically: (a) (Med.) The science of the signs or symptoms of disease; symptomatology. (b) The art of using signs in signaling.
SEMEIOTIC; SEMIOTICSe`mei*ot"ic, or Se`mi*ot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on a mark, a sign.]
1. Relating to signs or indications; pertaining to the language of signs, or to language generally as indicating thought.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the signs or symptoms of diseases.
SEMEIOTICS; SEMIOTICSSe`mei*ot"ics, or Se`mi*ot"ics, n.
Defn: Semeiology.
SEMELESem"e*le, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. Myth.)
Defn: A daughter of Cadmus, and by Zeus mother of Bacchus.
SEMEN Se"men, n.; pl. Semina. Etym: [L., from the root of serere, satum, to sow. See Sow to scatter seed.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The seed of plants.
2. (Physiol.)
Defn: The seed or fecundating fluid of male animals; sperm. It is a white or whitish viscid fluid secreted by the testes, characterized by the presence of spermatozoids to which it owes its generative power. Semen contra, or Semen cinæ or cynæ, a strong aromatic, bitter drug, imported from Aleppo and Barbary, said to consist of the leaves, peduncles, and unexpanded flowers of various species of Artemisia; wormseed.
SEMENIFEROUSSem`e*nif"er*ous, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Seminiferous.
SEMESTER Se*mes"ter, n. Etym: [G., from L. semestris half-yearly; sex six + mensis a month.]
Defn: A period of six months; especially, a term in a college or uneversity which divides the year into two terms.
SEMI-Sem"i-. Etym: [L. semi; akin to Gr. sami-, AS. sam-, and prob. to E.same, from the division into two parts of the same size. Cf. Hemi-,Sandelend.]
Defn: A prefix signifying half, and sometimes partly or imperfectly; as, semiannual, half yearly; semitransparent, imperfectly transparent.
Note: The prefix semi is joined to another word either with the hyphen or without it. In this book the hyphen is omitted except before a capital letter; as, semiacid, semiaquatic, semi-Arian, semiaxis, semicalcareous.
SEMIACIDSem`i*ac"id, a.
Defn: Slightly acid; subacid.
SEMIACIDIFIEDSem`i*a*cid"i*fied, a.
Defn: Half acidified.
SEMIADHERENTSem`i*ad*her"ent, a.
Defn: Adherent part way.
SEMIAMPLEXICAULSem`i*am*plex"i*caul, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Partially amplexicaul; embracing the stem half round, as a leaf.
SEMIANGLESem"i*an`gle, n. (Geom.)
Defn: The half of a given, or measuring, angle.
SEMIANNUALSem`i*an"nu*al, a.
Defn: Half-yearly.
SEMIANNUALLYSem`i*an"nu*al*ly, adv.
Defn: Every half year.
SEMIANNULARSem`i*an"nu*lar, a.
Defn: Having the figure of a half circle; forming a semicircle. Grew.
SEMI-ARIANSem`i-A"ri*an, n. Etym: [See Arian.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: A member of a branch of the Arians which did not acknowledge the Son to be consubstantial with the Father, that is, of the same substance, but admitted him to be of a like substance with the Father, not by nature, but by a peculiar privilege.
SEMI-ARIANSem"i-A"ri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Semi-Arianism.
SEMI-ARIANISMSem`i-A"ri*an*ism, n.
Defn: The doctrines or tenets of the Semi-Arians.
SEMIAXISSem`i*ax"is, n. (Geom.)