individen

Individen is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun individ, meaning an individual—typically a single person or organism. In usage, individen refers to a specific member of a group, rather than the group as a whole. The indefinite form is en individ or ett individ, while the plural is individer and the definite plural is individerna. The term is commonly employed in biology, sociology, philosophy, and everyday language to denote a lone entity with distinct identity.

Etymology and forms: Individen derives from the Latin individuum, via French and other languages, and has been integrated into Swedish with standard noun inflection. As a linguistic unit, it contrasts with general or collective terms such as grupp, population, or art. Its definite form enables precise reference to a particular member in discourse.

Usage and context: In biology and medicine, individen can denote a single organism or patient. In philosophy and sociology, it is used to discuss personal identity, rights, and responsibilities of a single agent, as distinct from a group or class. Common synonyms for everyday language include person or enskild person, though those terms carry their own nuanced meanings. The concept often appears in legal, ethical, and social discussions about autonomy, welfare, and individual rights.

Related terms: The base form is individ; plural is individer and definite plural is individerna. The term is contrasted with art (species), grupp (group), and population when specifying the level of reference in analysis.