[it.self] pron (bef. 12c) 1: that identical one--compare it 1--used reflexively "watched the cat giving ~ a bath", for emphasis "the letter ~ was missing", or in absolute constructions "~ a splendid specimen of classic art, it has been exhibited throughout the world"
2: its normal, healthy, or sane condition -- in itself : in its own nature: intrinsically "was not in itself bad"