individual
/ˌɪn.dɪˈvɪdʒ.u.əl/
noun
Origin
Latin
individuus — indivisible
Overview
Meaning Now
- A single human being as distinct from a group, class, or family.
- A single thing or being, especially when considered as a separate unit.
Literal older meaning
that which cannot be divided
Language path
Latin → Middle English → English
Earliest form
individuell
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term originally emerged in scholastic logic to translate the Greek word 'atomos' (atom/indivisible). It referred to something that could not be subdivided into smaller parts of the same kind without losing its identity.
Evolution
- Latin
individuus
“indivisible”
From in- (not) + dividuus (divisible).
- Medieval Latin
individualis
“pertaining to an individual”
Developed in philosophical contexts.
- Middle English
individuell
“indivisible, single”
Introduced via scholastic texts.
- Early Modern English
individual
“a single person”
Semantic shift from 'indivisible' to 'a distinct entity'.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
not
dividu-
root
to divide
-al
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
French
individuel
individual
Spanish
individual
Related words
Explore next
Related to individual
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.