thəmˈselvz, them-, -eu̇vz, South often -e(ə)vz pronoun plural
Etymology: obsolete English themself themselves (from Middle English thamself, theimself, themself, from tham, theim, them them + self ) + English -es
1. : those identical ones that are they : the selves that belong to them : the selves that are theirs — used (1) reflexively as object of a preposition or direct or indirect object of a verb
they keep their plans to themselves
nations that govern themselves
they are getting themselves an incinerator
(2) for emphasis in apposition with they, who, which, that, or a noun
they themselves were surprised
some who themselves were very busy nevertheless took the time to help others
postcards which themselves supply the skeleton of the message — Randall Jarrell
people that enjoy a game of bridge themselves
the teachers themselves were as glad as the pupils when the school year ended
(3) for emphasis instead of nonreflexive them as object of a preposition or direct or indirect object of a verb
their combined salaries support their children and themselves
(4) for emphasis instead of they or instead of they themselves as predicate nominative
there is someone they can always depend on and that is themselves
or in comparisons after than or as
they envied us though we were as poor as themselves
or as part of a compound subject
to get their education as themselves or their neglectful government might see fit — S.A.Allibone
or archaically or dialectally as only subject of a verb
some … can render no ill services, in recompense for what themselves required — William Wordsworth
(5) in absolute constructions
themselves bankrupt morally and economically, the landowners have sought to prevent and retard government intervention — Mario Einaudi
2. : their normal, healthy, or sane condition
both persons involved in the accident were in a state of shock for a time but soon came to themselves
: their normal, healthy, or sane selves
after a good night's rest they were themselves again
3. : himself , herself — used with a singular antecedent that is indefinite or that does not specify gender
nobody can call themselves oppressed — Leonard Wibberley