| Context/ examples | M-W:
self
noun
plural selves
1 a : the entire person of an individual b : the realization or embodiment of an abstraction
2 a (1) : an individual's typical character or behavior
her true self was revealed
(2) : an individual's temporary behavior or character
his better self
b : a person in prime condition
feel like my old self today
3 : the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person
4 : personal interest or advantage
5 : material that is part of an individual organism
ability of the immune system to distinguish self from nonself
Examples of SELF
1. She showed her better self at the party.
2. Her public self is very different from her private self.
3. Philosophers have written about the conception of the self.
OALD:
self
noun plural selves
1 [countable, usually singular] the type of person you are, especially the way you normally behave, look or feel
You'll soon be feeling your old self again (= feeling well or happy again).
He's not his usual happy self this morning.
Only with a few people could she be her real self (= show what she was really like rather than what she pretended to be).
his private/professional self (= how he behaves at home/work)
2 [uncountable] (also the self [singular]) (formal) a person's personality or character that makes them different from other people
Many people living in institutions have lost their sense of self (= the feeling that they are individual people).
the inner self (= a person's emotional and spiritual character)
a lack of confidence in the self
3 [uncountable] (formal) your own advantage or pleasure rather than that of other people
She didn't do it for any reason of self.
Self, self, self! That's all you ever think about!
4 [countable] used to refer to a person
You didn't hurt your little self, did you?
We look forward to seeing Mrs Brown and your good self this evening.
CALD:
* self noun ( PERSONALITY )
[C or U] (plural selves) the set of someone's characteristics, such as personality and ability, which are not physical and make that person different from other people
The hero of the film finally finds his true self.
When I saw them this afternoon they were more like their old/normal selves (= as they were in the past).
a sense of self
* self noun ( PERSONAL ADVANTAGE )
[U] formal disapproving interest only in your own advantage
Her reply was typical of her constant regard for self.
Chambers:
self noun (selves)
1 personality, or a particular aspect of it.
2 a person's awareness of their own identity; ego.
3 a person as a whole, comprising a combination of characteristics of appearance and behaviour • He was his usual happy self.
4 personal interest or advantage.
DWDS:
Selbst, das; - /ohne Pl./ geh. die eigene Person, das eigene Ich: mein ganzes S. widersprach diesem Verlangen; dieses Buch ist ein Stück von meinem S.; Und hier wartet eine halbe Welt, um deren Besitzes willen ich sogar mein Selbst überwunden und einen aus mir gemacht habe, der ich nicht war Hacks Polly 2,2; mein besseres S. (die positiven Seiten meines Charakters; mir nahestehender Mensch, der einen guten Einfluß auf mich hat)
Wahrig:
Selbst n. Gen.- nur Sg. die eigene Person, Ich; das ist mein besseres S.; ein Stück meines S.; da zeigte er endlich sein wahres S.
Duden:
Selbst, das; - (nach engl. the self) (geh.): das seiner selbst bewusste Ich: das erwachende, bewusste ... |
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