self |self|
noun ( pl. selves |selvz|)
a person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, esp. considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action : our alienation from our true selves | [in sing. ] guilt can be turned against the self | language is an aspect of a person's sense of self.
• [with adj. ] a person's particular nature or personality; the qualities that make a person individual or unique : by the end of the round he was back to his old self | Paula seemed to be her usual cheerful self.
• one's own interests or pleasure : to love in an unpossessive way implies the total surrender of self.