Altruist

/ˈæltruːɪst/ noun

Definition

A person who unselfishly puts the welfare and happiness of others before their own.

Etymology

From French 'altruiste,' derived from 'altruisme,' which comes from Latin 'alter' meaning 'other,' coined to describe someone centered on others rather than themselves.

Kelly Says

Evolutionary biologists have spent decades puzzled by altruism—why would an animal sacrifice for others?—but now we understand it's often because altruists benefit their gene-carrying relatives, making altruism surprisingly selfish at the genetic level!

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