2011_12_01 altruistic \al-troo-IS-tik\, adjective: Unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others.

altruistic \al-troo-IS-tik\, adjective:
1. Unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others.
2. Animal Behavior. Of or pertaining to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives.
I thought you were an altruistic banker, nothing more, nothing less. A civic-minded altruistic banker.
 -- Inman Majors, The Millionaires: A Novel
An altruistic act is an act performed for the welfare of others. It is unselfish, as opposed to an act performed for self, which is selfish.
 -- Jack London, The Sea-Wolf
Altruistic was coined in 1830 by philosopher Auguste Comte. It originates in the French word altrui meaning “of or to others” from the Latin word alteri meaning “other.”