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-self. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-self, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-self in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-self you have here. The definition of the word
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-self, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From self; compare Dutch -zelf.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-self
- Used in forming intensive and reflexive forms of the singular personal pronouns.
Usage notes
- The plural counterpart is -selves.
- In the third person, -self or -selves is attached to the pronoun's objective form (him, them); in the first person and second person, to its prenominal possessive form (my, your).
- The suffixes -self and -selves may be separated by an intervening word or phrase (especially own) from the rest of the pronoun. When this occurs, self or selves stands alone as its own word, and the pronoun's prenominal possessive form is necessarily used; hence "himself" becomes "his own self", not *"him own self".
- The use of "themself" instead of "themselves" is sometimes proscribed, but it follows the contrast with "yourselves" and "yourself" and "ourselves" and "ourself".
- These forms are sometimes used in formal contexts in place of the objective personal pronoun: "the quality of service you have received from ourselves" (us). This usage is often criticized.
Derived terms
Related terms
Anagrams