personality

Etymology

Coined between 1350 and 1400 as Middle English personalite, from Middle French [Term?], from Latin persōnālitās. Morphologically personal + -ity

noun

1. (of people) A set of non-physical psychological and social qualities that make one person distinct from another.
   Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground. c. 1828, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Notes on Field on the Church
   Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess
   The president has a unique personality.
2. (of people) Charisma, or qualities that make a person stand out from the crowd.
   But over and over / I´ll be a fool for you / 'cause you got personality. 1959, Lloyd Price, Personality
   The best contestant shows most personality.
3. (of inanimate or abstract things) A set of qualities that make something distinctive or interesting.
   His writing has a lot of personality.
   This functional concrete building lacks personality.
   Dubbels typically have a rich, complex, malt-centered personality and a copper or caramel color. 2017, Janet Fletcher, Cheese & Beer, page 35
4. An assumed role or manner of behavior.
   In his final act, the comedian takes on a child's personality.
5. A celebrity, especially one with a strong media presence.
   Johnny Carson was a respected television personality.
6. (archaic) Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks.
   Perceiving that personalities were not out of order, I asked him what species of beast had long ago twisted and mutilated his left ear. 1905, O. Henry, Telemachus, Friend
   indulgence in personalities
7. (law">law) That quality of a law">law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons