yourselves, pron. pl.
(jʊəˈsɛlvz, jɔːˈ-)
Forms: see your and self.
[f. prec., in the 16th cent., with pl. inflexion, like ourselves, theirselves, themselves, in order to provide an unambiguous form for the pl. use.]
The emphatic and reflexive pronoun corresponding to you in plural sense: replacing the earlier yourself (see prec. 1, 2).
I. Emphatic.
1. In apposition with ye or you (as subj., pred., or obj.), expressed or implied.
| 1526 Tindale Matt. xxiii. 13 Ye youre selves goo nott in, nother [1611 yee neither goe in your selues, neither] suffre ye them that come to enter in. c 1550 Lyndesay Monarche, Trag. Dauid 312 It is ȝour craft,..Ȝour selfis, in ȝour Templis, for to teche. 1611 Bible Luke xiii. 28 When yee shall see..all the Prophets in the kingdome of God, and you your selues thrust out [1526 Tindale, and youre selves thrust oute a dores]. 1881 ‘Mark Twain’ Sp. (1910) 24, I think I honor and appreciate your Pilgrim stock as much as you do yourselves, perhaps. |
2. As simple subject (now arch. or poet.), predicate, or object.
| 1526 [see quot. 1611 in 1]. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 58 To manefest ȝourselfis quhat men ȝe ar. 1582 N.T. (Rhem.) 1 Thess. ii. 1 For your selues know, brethren, our entrance vnto you, that it was not vaine. 1608 Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 194 (Qo. 1) If you doe loue old men,..if your selues are old. 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. 110, I intend to carry you where your selves shall be Judges of his Conversation. 1728 Pope Dunc. i. 3 Say great Patricians! (since yourselves inspire These wond'rous works). 1881 ‘Mark Twain’ Sp. (1910) 20, I ask you to put yourselves in his place. |
3. In pregnant sense: cf. prec. 5.
| 1718 Pope Iliad xiv. 428 Be still your selves, and we shall need no more. |
II. 4. Reflexive, as direct or indirect object, or after a preposition: taking the place of you 1 d.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxlvi. 71 b/2 It is his wyll that ye all shulde put your selfes into his pure wyll. 1526 Tindale Luke xvii. 3 Take hede to youre selves. 1539 Bible (Great) Matt. vi. 19 Laye not vp for your selues treasure vpon earth. 1632 Brome Novella i. i, Not to wanton out your holy vowes Dancing your selfes to th' Devill. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 52 Respecting your forefathers, you would have been taught to respect yourselves. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxxii, ‘You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,’ said the voice of Mr. Raddle. 1847 R. S. Surtees Hawbuck Gr. xvi, It is all very well for you to give yourselves airs among other girls. |