late 14c., "quality or fact of being a person," from Medieval Latin personalitatem (nominative personalitas), from Late Latin personalis (see personal). Sense of "a distinctive character" is first recorded 1795, from French personnalité.
Personality is the supreme realization of the innate idiosyncrasy of a living being. It is an act of courage flung in the face of life, the absolute affirmation of all that constitutes the individual, the most successful adaptation to the universal conditions of existence, coupled with the greatest possible freedom of self-determination. [C.G. Jung, 1875-1961]Meaning "person whose character stands out from that of others" is from 1889. Personality cult is attested from 1956.
personality per·son·al·i·ty (pûr'sə-nāl'ĭ-tē)
n.
The quality or condition of being a person.
The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person.
The pattern of collective character, behavioral, temperamental, emotional, and mental traits of a person.
Distinctive qualities of a person, especially those personal characteristics that make one socially appealing.
The pattern of feelings, thoughts, and activities that distinguishes one person from another.