The word "individual" is spelled with a stress on the second syllable, and it is pronounced /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒʊəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, and the "d" is silent. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound and the stress falls on this syllable. The following three syllables are pronounced with a schwa sound, and the final syllable has an "l" sound. Proper spelling is important to ensure clear communication and reduce confusion among readers and listeners.
Individual (noun):
An individual refers to a single person, organism, or entity which is distinct and separate from others of its kind. It embodies and represents its own thoughts, beliefs, characteristics, and actions that make it unique. The term encompasses a wide range of contexts, including social, biological, and philosophical perspectives.
In social and cultural terms, an individual is a person who functions independently within a society. They possess their own rights, needs, opinions, and responsibilities. Individuals are seen as autonomous agents capable of making choices and decisions that shape their own lives and contribute to the collective.
Biologically, an individual is a living organism made up of various cells working together to form a cohesive unit. Each organism has its own genetic makeup and physiological characteristics that differentiate it from others.
From a philosophical standpoint, an individual embodies the concept of selfhood and subjectivity. It refers to the unique consciousness, identity, and personal experiences of a person. The concept of individuality explores the distinctiveness and singularity of one's being, often associated with free will and personal expression.
In summary, individual can refer to a person, organism, or entity with distinct characteristics, thoughts, and actions. It encompasses notions of autonomy, uniqueness, and self-expression. Its definition varies across different domains, including social, biological, and philosophical contexts.
• A single person; a single animal, plant, or thing.
• Single.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "individual" originated from the Latin word "individuus", which means "indivisible" or "undivided". It is derived from the combination of the prefix "in-" (meaning "not") and "dividuus" (meaning "divisible" or "separable"). The term was later adopted into Middle English as "individu", maintaining its fundamental meaning of something that cannot be divided or separated. Over time, "individu" evolved into the modern form "individual", which refers to a single person or a distinct entity.