I. ə̇t+ pronoun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hit self, from hit it + self — more at he
1. : that identical one — compare it I 1a; used (1) reflexively as object of a preposition or direct or indirect object of a verb
the dog will have to look out for itself while its master is gone
hurt itself crossing the street
watched the cat giving itself a bath
(2) for emphasis in apposition with it, which, that, this, or a noun
it is attractive itself
which itself is reason enough
a bookbinding that itself is valuable
this itself was sufficient excuse
the letter itself was missing
(3) for emphasis instead of nonreflexive it as object of a preposition or direct or indirect object of a verb
its agility is a source of amusement to its master and is a protection for itself
(4) for emphasis instead of it or instead of it itself as subject of a verb
never used for any purpose other than what itself was designed for
or as predicate nominative
an animal is generally concerned for just one thing and that is itself
or in comparisons after than or as
a dog being chased by an animal smaller than itself
(5) in absolute constructions
itself a splendid specimen of classic art, it is sure to be exhibited throughout the world
2. : its normal, healthy, or sane condition
the dog seemed quite ill at first but soon came to itself
: its normal, healthy, or sane self
fed the little creature milk and it was soon itself
3. : yourself — used in speaking to or as if to a baby
did it hurt itself
— compare it I 1c
II. adverb
1. Irish : in very fact : indeed — used as an intensive usually at the end of a clause
where is he itself — J.M.Synge
2. Irish : actually , even — used as an intensive usually at the end of a clause
though you are hard on your poor mother itself — Gerald O'Donovan