Egoic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to a sense of self that prioritizes personal identity and self-interest, often influencing one's perceptions and behavior patterns
2. Associated with the psychological concept of the ego, frequently depicting thoughts and actions driven by individualism and self-importance
3. Pertaining to an aspect of self that emphasizes personal identity and individual desires, often affecting judgment and interpersonal dynamics

Etymology: "Egoic" is a plain formation: the Latin pronoun "ego," meaning "I," was borrowed into English as a term for the self, and the adjective-forming suffix "-ic" was attached to it. The suffix has a long pedigree of its own, passing from Proto-Indo-European through Latin "-icus" and Old French "-ique" before reaching Middle English as "-ik" and modern English "-ic." Its sense is simply "related to" or "characterized by," so the word means "centered on the self." The Latin "ego" itself traces back to a very old root for the first-person pronoun, which is why it shows up in so many European languages. In English it first appeared as a technical noun in psychology, where "the ego" names the part of the mind that mediates between inner drives and the outside world. The adjective "egoic" follows the same pattern: a noun turned into a description.

Synonyms: self-centered, narcissistic

Antonyms: altruistic, selfless