pron. [ OE. it, hit, AS. hit; cf. D. het. √181. See He. ] 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). [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The day present hath ever inough to do with it owne grief. Genevan Test. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do, child, go to it grandam, child. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

It knighthood shall do worse. It shall fright all it friends with borrowing letters. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fruit tree yielding fruit after his (its) kind. Gen. i. 11.

It is used,

1. As a substance for any noun of the neuter gender; as, here is the book, take it home. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. 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 John. [ 1913 Webster ] It is I; be not afraid. Matt. xiv. 27. [ 1913 Webster ] Peter heard that it was the Lord. John xxi. 7. Often, in such cases, as a substitute for a sentence or clause; as, it is thought he will come; it is wrong to do this. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. As an indefinite nominative for a impersonal verb; as, it snows; it rains. [ 1913 Webster ] 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? [ 1913 Webster ] Think on me when it shall be well with thee. Gen. xl. 14. [ 1913 Webster ] 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). [ 1913 Webster ] The Lacedemonians, at the Straits of Thermopylæ, when their arms failed them, fought it out with nails and teeth. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it,
If folly grows romantic, I must paint it. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Its self. See Itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. itacisme. See Etacism, and cf. Iotacism. ] (Greek Gram.) Pronunciation of η (eta) as the modern Greeks pronounce it, that is, like e in the English word be. This was the pronunciation advocated by Reuchlin and his followers, in opposition to the etacism of Erasmus. See Etacism. [ 1913 Webster ]

In all such questions between ε and αι the confusing element of itacism comes in. Alford. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. itaciste. ] One who is in favor of itacism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Itacolumi, a mountain of Brazil. ] (Min.) A laminated, granular, siliceous rocks, often occurring in regions where the diamond is found. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From aconitic, by transposition of the letters. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, C5H6O4, which is obtained as a white crystalline substance by decomposing aconitic and other organic acids. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The unsaturated dicarboxylic acid CH2=C(COOH)CH2.COOH, also called methylenesuccynic acid and propylene dicarboxylic acid. [ PJC ]

n. [ Fem. of L. Italus Italian. ] An early Latin version of the Scriptures (the Old Testament was translated from the Septuagint, and was also called the Italic version). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Italy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The language used in Italy, or by the Italians. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. italien, It. italiano. Cf. Italic. ] Of or pertaining to Italy, or to its people or language. [ 1913 Webster ]

Italian cloth a light material of cotton and worsted; -- called also farmer's satin. --
Italian iron, a heater for fluting frills. --
Italian juice, Calabrian liquorice. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. It. italianare. ] To render Italian, or conformable to Italian customs; to Italianize. [ R. ] Ascham. [ 1913 Webster ]