itself
/ɪtˈself/pronoun
third person singular
1
- reflexive used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a thing or animal previously mentioned as the subject of the clause［用作动词或介词的宾语, 指代前面的分句主语］：
his horse hurt itself
他的马弄伤了自己
wisteria was tumbling over itself.
紫藤乱糟糟地纠缠在一起。
2
- emphatic used to emphasize a particular thing or animal mentioned［用于强调先前提到过的某事物或动物］ ：
the roots are several inches long, though the plant itself is only a foot tall.
根有若干英寸长, 尽管那植物本身只有一英尺高。
2.1
- used after a quality to emphasize what a perfect example of that quality someone or something is［用在某种品质、特性后面强调某人或某物是该品质或特性的典范］：
Mrs Vincent was kindness itself.
文森特太太是善良的化身。
短语
by itself
- 见BY条by oneself.
in itself
- viewed in its essential qualities; considered separately from other things本质上; 就其本身而言：
some would say bringing up a family was a full-time job in itself.
有人说养儿育女本身就等于一份全职工作。
词源