/ohn/ , adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or belonging to oneself or itself (usually used after a possessive to emphasize the idea of ownership, interest, or relation conveyed by the possessive): He spent only his own money.
2. (used as an intensifier to indicate oneself as the sole agent of some activity or action, prec. by a possessive): He insists on being his own doctor.
3. come into one's own ,
a. to take possession of that which is due or owed one.
b. to receive the recognition that one's abilities merit: She finally came into her own as a sculptor of the first magnitude.
4. get one's own back , to get revenge and thereby a sense of personal satisfaction, as for a slight or a previous setback; get even with somebody or something: He saw the award as a way of getting his own back for all the snubs by his colleagues.
5. hold one's own ,
a. to maintain one's position or condition: The stock market seems to be holding its own these days.
b. to be equal to the opposition: He can hold his own in any fight.
6. of one's own , belonging to oneself: She had never had a room of her own.
7. on one's own ,
a. by dint of one's own efforts, resources, or sense of responsibility; independently: Because she spoke the language, she got around the country very well on her own.
b. living or functioning without dependence on others; independent: My son's been on his own for several years.
v.t.
8. to have or hold as one's own; possess: They own several homes.
9. to acknowledge or admit: to own a fault.
10. to acknowledge as one's own; recognize as having full claim, authority, power, dominion, etc.: He owned his child before the entire assembly. They owned the king as their lord.
v.i.
11. to confess (often fol. by to, up, or up to ): The one who did it had better own up. I own to being uncertain about that.
[ bef. 900; (adj.) ME owen, OE agen (c. G eigen, ON eigenn ), orig. ptp. of agan to possess (see OWE); (v.) ME ownen, OE agnian, ahnian, deriv. of agen ]
Syn. 8. See have .
Ant. 8. lack, need.