[f. as prec. + -IST.]
1. (See quot.)
1785. Reid, Int. Powers, 640. A sect … called Egoists, who maintained that we have no evidence of the existence of anything but ourselves.
1860. Mansel, Proleg. Logica, App. 313. It would not add one tittle to the evidence of the fact … in the eyes of anyone but an Egoist.
2. One who makes regard to his own interest the guiding principle of his conduct.
1879. Sat. Rev., 15 Nov., 607/2. He is, in truth, thoroughly selfish, an ‘egoist,’ as Mr. Meredith, adopting current slang, writes the word which used to be ‘egotist.’
3. One who talks much about himself; = EGOTIST. Also quasi-adj.
1794. Ld. Auckland, Corr. (1862), III. 217. My next letter shall be less egoist.
1831. Lytton, Godolphin, xix. (1877), 102. I will turn egoist, and tell you my adventures.
