self-forgetfuladj.
/ˌsɛl(f)fəˈɡɛtf(ᵿ)l/, U.S. /ˌsɛl(f)fərˈɡɛtfəl/ Forgetful of oneself or one's own needs, welfare, etc.; having no thought of self; characterized by self-forgetfulness.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > unselfishness > [adjective] > having no thought for self
self-forgetting1621
self-dead1647
unselfreflecting1668
self-regardless1808
self-forgetful1822
unselfconscious1866
1822 W. Tennant Thane of Fife v. 214 Drawn by the magic of her steps, the Thane, Disarm'd and self-forgetful, follow'd fast.
1864 E. B. Pusey Daniel vii. 438 The quick, honest, self-forgetful acknowledgment of the truth.
1911 Railroad Men July 315/1 The self-seeking man is a bore to his associates... The self-forgetful man is a tonic to his fellow employees.
1981 F. Inglis Promise of Happiness i. ii. 37 Many arts and crafts..offer an occasion for self-forgetful joy and peace.
2009 Chron. Higher Educ. (Nexis) 20 Feb. (Review section) 4 That joyful state of self-forgetful inspiration that we call genius.
Derivatives
self-forˈgetfully adv.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > unselfishness > [adverb] > with no thought of self
self-forgetfully1859
1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths i. §15 Art, devoted humbly and self-forgetfully to the clear statement..of the facts of the universe.
1910 H. G. Wells New Machiavelli iii. i. 299 Human progress..goes on in silence while men think, in studies where they write self-forgetfully.
2001 Philos. Music Educ. Rev. 9 34/2 He created the impression of a group or combo of musicians, who play in and for the moment, self-forgetfully.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1822