himself
UK: hɪmˈsɛlf | US: hɪmˈsɛlf
pron. 1. Used to refer to a male object of a verb or preposition when he is also the subject of the clause (reflexive).
pron. 2. Used for emphasis to refer to a male person or thing previously mentioned.
The word "himself" combines the Old English objective pronoun "him" (from Proto-Germanic *himma-) with "self" (from Proto-Germanic *selbaz), originally meaning "same." Over time, "self" evolved into a reflexive/emphatic suffix in English. The compound emerged in Middle English (c. 1200) to explicitly mark reflexivity or emphasis for male subjects, paralleling structures like "herself" and "itself."
He hurt himself while climbing the tree.
The manager himself approved the proposal.
John built the shed himself.
He told himself to stay calm.
The king himself attended the ceremony.