antiegotistical
|an-ti-e-go-tis-ti-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.iːˈɡoʊ.tɪ.sɪ.kəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.iːˈɡəʊ.tɪ.sɪ.kəl/
against egotism
Etymology
'antiegotistical' is a modern English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'egotistical'. 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'egotistical' derives from Latin 'ego' meaning 'I' with the adjectival suffix '-ical'.
'egotistical' developed from 'ego' (Latin) > French/English formations such as 'egoist' in the 18th-19th century > 'egotistical' as the adjective form; 'anti-' has been used in English since Old/Middle English (via Latin/Greek influence) to form opposites, and the combined form 'anti-' + 'egotistical' produced the modern compound.
Initially the parts meant 'against' + 'I/self' (i.e., opposing self-centeredness); over time the combined adjective came to mean either 'modest; not self-centered' or 'designed to counteract egotism', senses it keeps in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to egotism or self-centered behavior; showing modesty or lack of self-importance.
Her antiegotistical attitude made her a popular mentor among junior staff.
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Adjective 2
intended to counteract or reduce egotistical tendencies (of a policy, practice, or behavior).
The workshop included antiegotistical exercises designed to foster team focus rather than individual praise.
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Last updated: 2025/08/31 09:48