Itself Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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itself
[ɪtˈsɛlf ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Pronoun
reflexive pronoun
Used to refer to a thing, animal, situation, etc., when the subject of the verb is the same as the object of the verb.
Examples of usage
- Itself is a reflexive pronoun.
- The cat groomed itself.
- The book fell off the shelf and landed by itself.
Context #2 | Noun
existence as distinct from other things
The existence or reality of something without reference to anything else.
Examples of usage
- The concept of 'itself' can be hard to define.
- The universe has a life of itself.
Context #3 | Adverb
used for emphasis
Used for emphasis when referring back to a thing previously mentioned.
Examples of usage
- The party itself was amazing.
- She didn't win the award, but she was proud of her performance itself.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Grammar
- In English grammar, 'itself' is a reflexive pronoun that reflects back to the subject, showing that the action impacts the subject directly.
- Commonly used for emphasis, like in the sentence 'The cat groomed itself,' highlighting the subject's action on itself.
- Reflexive pronouns, including 'itself', help clarify who is doing what in a sentence, making communication clearer.
Psychology
- 'Itself' can invoke the concept of self-awareness, reflecting a deeper understanding of one's individual identity in psychological terms.
- The idea behind 'itself' can be linked to the notion of self-identity, which is a key theme in developmental psychology.
- Researchers suggest that language, including words like 'itself', helps shape how individuals understand and express their self-concept.
Philosophy
- Philosophical discussions around 'self' explore concepts of identity and existence, questioning what it truly means to be 'itself'.
- The term often raises questions in metaphysics about whether an object is defined by its inherent properties or its relationships with others.
- In existentialism, the notion of 'itself' invites introspection on one's existence, encouraging people to consider their authentic selves.
Origin of 'itself'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'itself' comes from the Old English 'hit sylf', where 'hit' means 'it' and 'sylf' means 'self'.
- Over time, 'hit sylf' evolved into its modern form, making 'itself' a compound of a pronoun and a reflexive pronoun.
- The combination emphasizes the individual identity of whatever 'it' refers to, reinforcing its importance.
The word 'itself' originated from the combination of 'it' and 'self', dating back to Old English. 'It' is a pronoun referring to a thing previously mentioned, while 'self' emphasizes the subject or object. Over time, the word 'itself' has evolved in usage across different contexts and languages, maintaining its core meaning of self-referential emphasis.