it‧self S1 W1 /ɪtˈself/ pronoun [reflexive form of ‘it’]

1. used to show that a thing, organization, animal, or baby that does something is affected by its own action:
The cat lay on the sofa, washing itself.
The machine switches itself off when the process is complete.
a small local enterprise that has transformed itself into a highly successful company

2. used to emphasize that you are talking about one particular thing, organization etc:
We’ve checked the wiring, so the problem may be the television itself.

3. in/of itself considered separately from any other facts:
There is a slight infection in the lung, which in itself is not serious.

4. (all) by itself
a) alone:
Will the dog be safe left in the car by itself?
b) without help or without a person making it work:
The door seemed to open all by itself.

5. (all) to itself not shared with other things:
This idea deserves a chapter to itself.

6. be patience/kindness/simplicity etc itself to be very patient, kind, simple etc:
Loading the software is simplicity itself.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

itself
ɪtˈself
See: end in itself

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲