Word Study
ourselves
CIDE DICTIONARY
ourselves, pron.
An emphasized form of the pronoun of the first person plural; -- used as a subject, usually with we; also, alone in the predicate, in the nominative or the objective case. [1913 Webster]
" The form ourself is used only in the regal or formal style after we or us, denoting a single person." [1913 Webster]
"We ourselves might distinctly number in words a great deal further then we usually do." [1913 Webster]
"Safe in ourselves, while on ourselves we stand." [1913 Webster]
"Unless we would denude ourself of all force." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ourselves, pron.
1 a emphat. form of WE or US (we ourselves did it; made it ourselves; for our friends and ourselves). b refl. form of US (are pleased with ourselves).
2 in our normal state of body or mind (not quite ourselves today).
1 a emphat. form of WE or US (we ourselves did it; made it ourselves; for our friends and ourselves). b refl. form of US (are pleased with ourselves).
2 in our normal state of body or mind (not quite ourselves today).
Idiom
be ourselves act in our normal unconstrained manner. by ourselves see by oneself.
ROGET THESAURUS
ourselves
Mankind
N man, mankind, human race, human species, human kind, human nature, humanity, mortality, flesh, generation, anthropology, anthropogeny, anthropography, anthroposophy, ethnology, ethnography, humanitarian, human being, person, personage, individual, creature, fellow creature, mortal, body, somebody, one, such a one, some one, soul, living soul, earthling, party, head, hand, dramatis personae, quidam, people, persons, folk, public, society, world, community, community at large, general public, nation, nationality, state, realm, commonweal, commonwealth, republic, body politic, million, population, tribe, clan (paternity), family (consanguinity), cosmopolite, lords of the creation, ourselves, human, mortal, personal, individual, national, civic, public, social, cosmopolitan, anthropoid, am I not a man and a brother?.For further exploring for "ourselves" in Webster Dictionary Online