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themselves

 - 2 dictionary results

them⋅selves

  [thuhm-selvz, them-]
Use themselves in a Sentence
–plural pronoun
1. an emphatic form of them or they: The authors themselves left the theater. The contract was written by the partners themselves.
2. a reflexive form of they (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition): They washed themselves quickly. The painters gave themselves a week to finish the work. The noisy passengers drew attention to themselves.
3. (used after an indefinite singular antecedent in place of the definite masculine himself or the definite feminine herself): No one who ignores the law can call themselves a good citizen.
4. (used in place of they or them after as, than, or but): no soldiers braver than themselves; As for the entertainers, everyone got paid but themselves.
5. their usual, normal, characteristic selves: After a hot meal and a few hours' rest, they were themselves again.
Origin:
1300–50; them + selves; r. themself, ME thamself; see self

Usage note:
See myself.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To themselves
them·selves   (thěm-sělvz', thəm-)   
pron.  

  1. Those ones identical with them:

    1. Used reflexively as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition: prepared themselves for the trip; gave themselves plenty of time; were left to themselves.

    2. Used for emphasis: The cooks themselves eat after all the guests have finished.

    3. Used in an absolute construction: Newcomers themselves, they knew few people at the party.

  2. Their normal or healthy condition: The members of the crew were themselves again after the crisis passed.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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