itself

 
Pronunciation: /ɪtˈsɛlf/

pronoun

[third person singular]
  • 1 [reflexive] used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a thing or animal previously mentioned as the subject of the clause: his horse hurt itself the company has established itself as a leader in the field
  • 2 [emphatic] used to emphasize a particular thing or animal mentioned: the roots are several inches long, though the plant itself is only a foot tall
  • used after a quality to emphasize what a perfect example of that quality someone or something is: Mrs Vincent was kindness itself

Phrases

by itself

see by oneself at by.

in itself

viewed in its essential qualities; considered separately from other things: some would say bringing up a family was a full-time job in itself

Origin:

Old English (see it1, self)