individualism
noun
- individual character; individuality
- an individual peculiarity
- the doctrine that individual freedom in economic enterprise should not be restricted by governmental or social regulation; laissez faire
- the doctrine that the state exists for the individual and not the individual for the state
- the doctrine that self-interest is the proper goal of all human actions; egoism
- action based on any of these doctrines
- the leading of one's life in one's own way without conforming to prevailing patterns
See individualism in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(ĭnˌdə-vĭjˈo͞o-ə-lĭzˌəm)
nouna. Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence.
b. Acts or an act based on this belief.
a. A doctrine advocating freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of a person's economic goals.
b. A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group.
a. The quality of being an individual; individuality.
b. An individual characteristic; a quirk.
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