Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
It
It
(ĭt)
, p
ron.
The neuter pronoun of the third person, corresponding to the masculine pronoun he and the feminine she, and having the same plural (they, their or theirs, them).
☞ The possessive form its is modern, being rarely found in the writings of Shakespeare and Milton, and not at all in the original King James’s version of the Bible. During the transition from the regular his to the anomalous its, it was to some extent employed in the possessive without the case ending. See
His
, and He
. In Dryden's time its had become quite established as the regular form. The day present hath ever inough to do with
it
owne grief. Genevan Test.
Do, child, go to
it
grandam, child. Shakespeare
It
knighthood shall do worse. It shall fright all it
friends with borrowing letters. B. Jonson.
☞ In the course of time, the nature of the neuter sign t in it, the form being found in but a few words, became misunderstood. Instead of being looked upon as an affix, it passed for part of the original word. Hence was formed from it the anomalous genitive its, superseding the Saxon his.
Latham.
It is used,
1.
As a substance for any noun of the neuter gender;
as, here is the book, take
.it
home2.
As a demonstrative, especially at the beginning of a sentence, pointing to that which is about to be stated, named, or mentioned, or referring to that which apparent or well known;
as, I saw
. it
was JohnIt
is I; be not afraid. Matt. xiv. 27.
3.
As an indefinite nominative for a impersonal verb;
as,
it
snows; it
rains.4.
As a substitute for such general terms as, the state of affairs, the condition of things, and the like;
as, how is
it
with the sick man?Think on me when
it
shall be well with thee. Gen. xl. 14.
5.
As an indefinite object after some intransitive verbs, or after a substantive used humorously as a verb;
as, to foot
. it
(i. e., to walk)The Lacedemonians, at the Straits of Thermopylæ, when their arms failed them, fought
it
out with nails and teeth. Dryden.
Whether the charmer sinner
If folly grows romantic, I must paint it.
it
, or saint it
,If folly grows romantic, I must paint it.
Pope.
Its self
. See
Itself
.Webster 1828 Edition
It
IT
, pron. [L. id.]1.
A substitute or pronoun of the neuter gender, sometimes called demonstrative, and standing for any thing except males and females, 'Keep thy heart with all diligence,for out of it are the issues of life.' Prov. 9. Here it is the substitute for heart.2.
It is much used as the nominative case or word to verbs called impersonal; as it rains; it snows. In this case,there is no determinate thing to which it can be referred. In other cases, it may be referred to matter, affair, or some other word. Is it come to this?
3.
Very often, it is used to introduce a sentence, preceding a verb as a nominative, but referring to a clause or distinct member of the sentence. 'It is well ascertained, that the figure of the earth is an oblate spheroid.' What is well ascertained?The answer will show: the figure of the earth is an oblate spheroid; it [that] is well ascertained. Here it represents the clause of the sentence,'the figure of the earth,' &c. If the order of the sentence is inverted, the use of it is superseded. The figure of the earth is an oblate spheroid; that is well ascertained.
It, like that, is often a substitute for a sentence or clause of a sentence.
4.
It often begins a sentence, when a personal pronoun, or the name of a person, or a masculine noun follows. It is I: be not afraid. It was Judas who betrayed Christ. When a question is asked, it follows the verb; as, who was it that betrayed Christ?5.
It is used also for the state of a person or affair. How is it with our general?
6.
It is used after intransitive verbs very indefinitely and sometimes ludicrously, but rarely in an elevated style. If Abraham brought all with him, it is not probable he meant to walk it back for his pleasure.
The Lacedemonians, at the straits of Thermopylae, when their arms failed them, fought it out with nails and teeth.
Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it.