pron. pl. 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 kingdom 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. Shaks., 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.
