one's own person, individuality, etc., considered as private and apart from others: It is for ourself that we should strive for greater knowledge.
2.
(a form corresponding to ourselves, used of a single person, especially in the regal or formal style, as we, for I ): We have taken unto ourself such powers as may be necessary.
Origin: 1300–50;Middle Englishoure self; see our, self