The word "selfsame" is spelled as /ˌsɛlfˈseɪm/. This word means "identical" or "exact same." It consists of the prefix "self" meaning "one's own" or "identical" and the adjective "same" meaning "identical or alike." The first syllable is pronounced as it is spelled, with the "e" pronounced as "eh." The second syllable has a long "a" sound ("ay"), and the final "e" is pronounced as "m." This word has been used in English since the 14th century.
The term "selfsame" is an adjective that denotes something that is identical to itself in every aspect, possessing no distinctions or variations. It refers to complete similarity or sameness with no alterations or differences whatsoever.
The word "selfsame" is a combination of two words, "self" and "same." "Self" refers to an individual's essential being or identity, while "same" indicates the state of being identical or unchanged. Thus, "selfsame" can be seen as an intensification of the word "same" with a focus on the notion of self or identity.
When applied, "selfsame" implies that an object or a person remains consistent and unchanging over time, encompassing all its attributes, characteristics, and qualities. It suggests an absolute unity and lack of discrepancy, emphasizing the notion of being completely indistinguishable or unaltered.
For example, in the phrase "the selfsame house," it indicates that a house remains unchanged, with no modifications in its structure, location, or appearance. Similarly, in the context of personal identity, it can be used to express that an individual's core qualities, such as values, beliefs, or personality traits, remain constant and unvarying across different situations or time periods.
In summary, "selfsame" refers to an absolute sameness or identity of an object or person, emphasizing the absence of any distinctions, alterations, or variations within it.
The word selfsame can be traced back to Old English. It is a combination of self, meaning same or identical, and same, which has remained relatively unchanged in its meaning over time. The word same itself can be traced back to Proto-Germanic, where it was formed with the combination of samaz (meaning same) and the suffix -iz to create samaz meaning in the same way. This evolved into Old English same, and ultimately into the modern English term selfsame, which retains its original meaning of the very same or exactly identical.