SELF

Definitions

1. 1. The individual as the object of his own reflective consciousness; the man viewed by his own cognition as the subject of all his mental phenomena, the agent in his own activities, the subject of his own feelings, and the possessor of capacities and character; a person as a distinct individual; a being regarded as having personality. "Those who liked their real selves." Addison. A man's self may be the worst fellow to converse with in the world. Pope. The self, the I, is recognized in every act of intelligence as the subject to which that act belongs. It is I that perceive, I that imagine, I that remember, I that attend, I that compare, I that feel, I that will, I that am conscious. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. 2. Hence, personal interest, or love of private interest; selfishness; as, self is his whole aim.
3. 3. Personification; embodiment. [Poetic.] She was beauty's self. Thomson.