OURSELVES Meaning and
Definition
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Ourselves is a pronoun used to refer to the speakers or writers, indicating a collective or individual sense of identity. It is a reflexive form of the personal pronoun "we" and is typically used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same people or group.
In its collective sense, "ourselves" implies a shared identity or a group of people, emphasizing unity or inclusiveness. For instance, the phrase "We must work together to achieve our goals" suggests that the speaker and others must collaborate for a common purpose. In this case, "ourselves" denotes the speaker and the others as a unified entity.
On an individual level, the use of "ourselves" signifies self-reflection or self-awareness. For instance, the expression "We need to take care of ourselves" implies that each person must prioritize their personal well-being. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-preservation.
The word "ourselves" conveys a sense of ownership or possession, suggesting that the subject has control or responsibility over a particular situation or attribute. It can be employed to express self-control or autonomy, potentially suggesting independence or self-sufficiency.
Overall, "ourselves" is a powerful linguistic tool that allows individuals or groups to express a sense of identity, unity, ownership, or self-reflection in various contexts.
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Not another or other, used almost wholly in the plural, and by way of emphasis.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for OURSELVES *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for OURSELVES
Etymology of OURSELVES
The word "ourselves" is a compound word combining the pronoun "our" with the reflexive pronoun "selves".
The pronoun "our" is derived from the Old English word "ūre", which was the genitive form of the personal pronoun "we", indicating possession or association with a group of people.
The reflexive pronoun "selves" is derived from the Old English word "self", meaning "the real or true nature of a person" or "the individual person as an object of self-consciousness". This word has Germanic roots and is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "sjalfr" and Dutch "zelf".
Idioms with the word OURSELVES
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by ourselves
The idiom "by ourselves" is used to indicate that something is done or accomplished without the assistance or presence of others. It refers to the act of working or achieving something independently or in isolation.
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between ourselves
The idiom "between ourselves" typically refers to something that is meant to be kept confidential or only shared between a limited group of people. It implies a sense of secrecy or exclusivity in the information being discussed.
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