al·tru·ism
n. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.

Zoology. Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of the species.

[French altruisme, probably from Italian altrui, someone else, from Latin alter, other. See al-1 in Indo-European Roots.]

altru·ist n.
altru·istic adj.
altru·isti·cal·ly adv.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=altruism


altruism Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; opposed to egoism or selfishness.

Origin: F. Altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. Altrui of or to others, fr. L. Alter another.