/ ɪtˈself; NAmE / pronoun
1.
(the reflexive form of it ) used when the animal or thing that does an action is also affected by it :
The cat was washing itself.
Does the VCR turn itself off?
The company has got itself into difficulties.
There's no need for the team to feel proud of itself.
2.
(used to emphasize an animal, a thing, etc.):
The village itself is pretty, but the surrounding countryside is rather dull.
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IDIOMS
- be patience, honesty, simplicity, etc. itself
- (all) by itself
- in itself
- to itself
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English (see it , self ).