1 used when the animal or thing that does an action is also affected by it （表示动物或事物受自己行为影响）它自己: The cat was washing itself. 猫儿在清洁自己。The company has got itself into financial difficulties. 这家公司陷入财务困境。

2 used to emphasize sth （用于强调）它本身: The building itself is beautiful, but it's in a very ugly part of town. 这大楼本身相当漂亮，可是所在的城区却很难看。

1 without being controlled by a person; automatically 自动: The central heating comes on by itself before we get up. 我们起床之前，中央暖气已经自动启动了。

2 alone 单独；独自: The house stood all by itself on the hillside. 这座房子孤零零地座落在山腰上。 ☞ Look at the note at alone. 参看alone的注释。