Definition of "personhood" [personhood]

• The state or condition of being a person, especially having those qualities that confer distinct individuality: "finding her own personhood as a campus activist” ( Walter Shapiro). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "With this far-reaching anti-abortion strategy, the proponents of what they call personhood amendments hope to reshape the national debate."
• "According to the Association Against Animal Factories, "personhood" is the only way to make sure that Pan, who previously lived in a now-bankrupt shelter, doesn't end up under nasty ownership outside of Austria."
• "For some eerie reason I am reminded of a passage in the bible where it talks of the Anti-Christ being made into the likeness of man …. perhaps corporate personhood is what this passage really meant?"