In common speech, the word individual most often refers to a person, or, by analogy, to any specific object in a group of things. For example, you the reader are an individual person, and a lawn is made of individual blades of grass. Originally, in the 15th century or earlier, the term meant "indivisible" as still used in statistics (see below), but from the seventeenth century on the term indicated separateness, as in individualism. (Abbs 1986, cited in Klein 2005, p.26-27)

In metaphysics and statistics, the word individual, while sometimes meaning "a person", more typically describes any numerically singular thing. Used in many contexts, both 'Socrates' and 'the Moon' denote individuals; 'grapefruit' and 'redness' (generally) do not. 'Individual' as a piece of philosophical jargon is much-bandied and often to be found in the company of particular -- indeed, often treated as synonymous with 'particular' (though one wonders if abstract particulars can count as individuals) -- and contrasted with 'universal'.

References

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• Gracia, Jorge J. E. (1988). Individuality: An Essay on the Foundations of Metaphysics. : State Univ of New York Pr.
• Klein, Anne Carolyn (1995). Meeting the Great Bliss Queen: Buddhists, Feminists, and the Art of the Self. ISBN 0807073067.

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Best wishes for happy and healthy holidays. I have successfully treated 19 individuals for depression/anxiety with very postive results.
SouthbayTMS (Martha B Koo, M.D.) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:05:31 -0000
Best wishes for happy and healthy holidays. I have successfully treated 19 individuals for depression/anxiety with very postive results.
@NickTheOriginal I don't allow my feelings for any individuals perspective to interfere with the information they spew. Right or wrong!
stephenasmith (Stephen A Smith) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:03:39 -0000
@NickTheOriginal I don't allow my feelings for any individuals perspective to interfere with the information they spew. Right or wrong!
RT @_medschool_: Obama announced his intent to nominate individuals to key administration posts including Gwendolyn E. Boyd. ♥ΔΣΘ!!!!
AmazingGraceInc (Grace Salvant) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:01:13 -0000
RT @_medschool_: Obama announced his intent to nominate individuals to key administration posts including Gwendolyn E. Boyd. ♥ΔΣΘ!!!!
People acting in teams can accomplish amazing goals that an individual, or even a group of individuals, could never achieve.
richclay9 (Rich Clay) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:00:51 -0000
People acting in teams can accomplish amazing goals that an individual, or even a group of individuals, could never achieve.
Individuals who deliberately decide not to take offense lead happier, more productive lives.
OnlineSupportMJ (Marilyn Jenkins) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:00:06 -0000
Individuals who deliberately decide not to take offense lead happier, more productive lives.
In 2009, I am thankful for not flipping out on certain individuals when I should have. God saved them this time.
msbrandic (Brandi C) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:59:48 -0000
In 2009, I am thankful for not flipping out on certain individuals when I should have. God saved them this time.

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