narcissism
/ˈnɑːrsɪˌsɪzəm/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
Narkissos — The name of a mythological figure known for his beauty and vanity.
Overview
Meaning Now
- Excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.
- In psychoanalysis, a state of self-centeredness or self-absorption.
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
narcissisme
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The term originates from the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. It was adopted into clinical psychology in the late 19th century to describe pathological self-love and later popularized by Sigmund Freud.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
Narkissos
“Mythological youth”
Derived from 'narke' meaning 'numbness' or 'stupor'.
- Latin
Narcissus
“Flower name/Mythological youth”
Botanical name for the daffodil genus.
- 19th-century French
narcissisme
“Medical state of self-obsession”
Coined by Havelock Ellis or Paul Näcke.
- Modern English
narcissism
“Self-absorption”
Standardized usage.
Connections
Word parts
narciss-
root
related to Narcissus
-ism
suffix
state or condition of
Related across languages
French
narcissisme
narcissism
German
Narzißmus
narcissism
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Related to narcissism
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.