self-destruction
1254
,self-des'truction n [U] destroying oneself or itself —tive
adj: a self-destructive tendency to see herself as a failure
,self-determi'nation n [U] the right of the people who live
in a country to make a free decision about the form of their
government, especially whether or not to be independent of
another country
,self-'discipline n [U] the training of oneself to control
one's habits, actions, and desires: You'll need plenty of self-
discipline if you're going to work from home. —plined adj
,self-'doubt n [U] lack of belief in oneself and one's abilities
,self-'drive adj BrE (of a vehicle) that can be or has been hired
to be driven by oneself
,self-'educated adj educated by one's own efforts, especially
by reading books, and not formally in school
,self-ef'facing adj keeping oneself from attracting attention,
especially because one lacks confidence: a shy self-effacing
man —facement n [U]
,self-em'ployed adj earning money from one's own busi-
ness rather than being paid by an employer: [also n, the P] a
special pension scheme for the self-employed —ployment n
[U]
,self-es'teem n [U] one's good opinion of one's own worth:
The critical newspaper reviews damaged/were a blow to his
self-esteem.
,self-'evident adj plainly true without need of proof; clear
from the statement itself: It's self-evident she won't pass, so
why are they entering her for the exam? —ly adv
self-exami'nation n [U] consideration of one's own
actions and reasons for action, especially to judge them
according to some standards, religious beliefs etc
,self-ex'planatory adj (especially of speaking or writing)
explaining itself; easily understood and needing no further
explanation: I think the printed instructions are fairly self-
explanatory, so I'll let you get on with it.
,self-ex'pression n [U] the expression of one's own charac-
ter e.g. in artistic form, through one's behaviour —self-
expressive adj
,self-ful,filling 'prophecy n a statement about what may
happen in the future which comes true because it has been
made: The vice-president made a self-fulfilling prophecy when
he said the company would soon go bankrupt – now all the
investors are withdrawing their money.
,self-'governing adj (of a country or organization) free from
outside control; independent: Instead of being controlled by
a Regional Health Authority, each hospital should be a self-
governing trust.
,self-'government also self-rule n [U] government of a
country by its own people, free from outside control or
influence; independence
,self-'help n [U] the action of providing help or support for
oneself without depending on others: self-help groups (=in
which you give and get help, and help yourself) for drug
addicts/dieters
self-hood /'selfhud/ n [U] the knowledge of oneself as an
independent person; the sense of one's INDIVIDUALITY
,self-'image n the idea one has of one's own personality,
looks, or mental ability: Children who are bullies often have a
poor self-image.
,self-im'portance n [U] too high an opinion of one's own
importance —ant adj: a self-important little man who enjoys
telling other people what to do —antly adv
,self-im'posed adj that one has forced oneself to accept,
without it being suggested or demanded by anyone else: a
self-imposed limit of three cigarettes a day | self-imposed exile
,self-in'dulgence n [U] the tendency to allow oneself
pleasure or comfort too easily —gent adj: I know it's very
self-indulgent of me, but I'm going to have another piece of
cake. | a self-indulgent film (=in which the director has
concerned himself too much with his own particular feel-
ings or interests) —gently adv
,self-'interest n [U] concern for what is best for oneself or is
most to one's own advantage: Self-interest, rather than com-
passion, prompted his large donation to the charity, which he
knew would be reported in the press. —ed adj
self-ish /'selfIʃ/ adj concerned with or directed towards one's
own advantage without care for others: What a selfish boy
you are; let the other children share your toys. | She acted from
purely selfish motives. → opposite UNSELFISH —ly adv
—ness n [U]
,self-'knowledge n [U] knowledge of one's own nature and
character, the reasons why one does things etc
self-less /'selfləs/ adj apprec caring only for others and not
for oneself; completely unselfish: selfless devotion to duty
—ly adv —ness n [U]
,self-'locking adj (especially of a door) locking by its own
action when closed
,self-'made adj having gained success and especially wealth
by one's own efforts alone, starting without money or social
position: He's very proud of being a self-made man.
,self-'pity n [U] too much pity for one's own sorrows or
troubles: Instead of wallowing in self-pity they should do
something positive to improve their situation. —ing adj
,self-'portrait n 1 an artist's work of him/herself 2 a spo-
ken or written description of one's own character
,self-pos'sessed adj showing self-possession; calm and
confident —ly /-pə'zesdli/ adv
,self-pos'session n [U] firm control over one's own feel-
ings and actions, especially in difficult or unexpected situa-
tions
,self-preser'vation n [U] the keeping of oneself safe from
harm or death, especially as an action done naturally by
living things: Animals have an instinct for self-preservation.
,self-pro'claimed adj called by oneself and usually unsup-
ported by others: self-proclaimed leader/hero
,self-raising 'flour BrE || self-rising flour AmE — n [U]
flour that contains BAKING POWDER → compare PLAIN FLOUR
,self-re'liant adj able to act without depending on the help
of others: Even though she's in her nineties, the old lady is still
very self-reliant. —ance n [U]
,self-re'spect n [U] proper respect for, or pride in, oneself;
DIGNITY: She's got too much self-respect to beg her boyfriend to
stay.
,self-re'specting adj [A usually in negatives] 1 having self-
respect: No self-respecting actor would appear in a porno-
graphic film. 2 infml properly so-called; real; true: No self-
respecting town would be without its cinema in those days.
,self-re'straint n [U] the ability to keep the expression of
one's feelings or one's desires under control: Why can't you
exercise some self-restraint?
Sel-fridges /'selfridʒǝz/ trademark a large DEPARTMENT
STORE that has shops in London and other large British
cities and sells products of all kinds, including food, clothes,
furniture, and kitchen equipment
,self-'righteous adj derog proudly sure of one's own right-
ness or goodness, especially in opposition to the beliefs and
actions of others —ly adv —ness n [U]
,self-rising 'flour n AmE for SELF-RAISING FLOUR
,self-'rule n [U] SELF-GOVERNMENT
,self-'sacrifice n [U] the giving up of things that one cares
deeply about in order to help others or for some good or
important purpose —ficing adj
self-same /'selfseIm/ adj [the, this, that, these, those+A] lit exactly
the same: two great victories on the self-same day
,self-'satisfied adj too pleased with oneself; COMPLACENT: a
smug self-satisfied smirk. —,self-satis'faction n [U]
,self-'seeker n someone who is concerned only with their
own advantage
,self-'seeking adj doing things only for one's own advan-
tage: a dishonourable self-seeking politician —self-seeking n
[U]
,self-'service adj using a system by which buyers collect
what they want and then pay at a special desk: a self-service
cafeteria/petrol station —self-service n [U]
,self-'serving adj derog only willing to do something if it will
gain you an advantage: self-serving politicians
,self-'starter n 1 (a button which one presses to start) a
usually electric apparatus for starting a car engine 2 infml an
active and effective person who is able to work on their
own: PA wanted for busy office. Must be self-starter.