ego
UK: ˈiːɡəʊ | US: ˈiːɡoʊ
n. 1. A person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance.
n. 2. (Psychoanalysis) The part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and unconscious, responsible for reality testing and personal identity.
The word "ego" is borrowed directly from Latin, where it means "I" or "the self." It was adopted into English in the early 19th century, primarily through philosophical and psychological discourse. In Freudian psychology, "ego" was repurposed to describe the rational, conscious part of the psyche, contrasting with the "id" and "superego." The Latin root "ego" is also the source of related terms like "egotism" and "egocentric," reinforcing its enduring association with selfhood and identity.
His ego was bruised after the criticism.
In meditation, she focused on letting go of her ego.
The therapist explained how the ego balances desires and morals.
Success inflated his ego, making him arrogant.
The artist’s work reflects a struggle between ego and humility.