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.
IDIOMS
be patience, honesty, simplicity, etc. itself to be an example of complete patience, etc:
The manager of the hotel was courtesy itself.
(all) by itself
1 automatically; without anyone doing anything:
The machine will start by itself in a few seconds.
2 alone:
The house stands by itself in an acre of land.
in itself considered separately from other things; in its true nature:
In itself, it's not a difficult problem to solve.
to itself not shared with others:
It doesn't have the market to itself.
