ourself
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English oure-selfe; equivalent to our + -self.
Pronunciation edit
Pronoun edit
ourself (first person, singular reflexive of we)
- (reflexive) The reflexive of the royal or editorial we: myself (as used by a monarch, writer or speaker who is referring to themself as we).
- In the present study, we will limit ourself to the simplest of cases.
- 1838, Charles Dickens, Sketches of Young Gentlemen:
- Without in any way committing ourself upon this point, we have merely to observe, that we are ready to receive sealed offers containing a full specification of age, temper, appearance, and condition […]
- 1962, Princeton Alumni Weekly, volume 63, page 24:
- He then offered to guide us down to see for ourself, but one look down that dark hole to the water about 60 feet below completely dampened our speluncean ardor.
- (reflexive) The reflexive of the generic we: oneself.
- We should love our neighbor as ourself.
- (African-American Vernacular) The reflexive of we: ourselves.
Usage notes edit
- The normal reflexive form of we is ourselves. This form can generally be used alternatively in the above cases, too.
Coordinate terms edit
- ourselves (plural)
Translations edit
reflexive of editorial or royal we