Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - themselves

pronoun 1 the reflexive form of `they'  (The kids seem very pleased with themselves - what have they been doing? | Our neighbours have just bought themselves a jacuzzi.) 2 used to emphasize the pronoun `they', a plural n etc  (Doctors themselves are the first to admit the treatment has side effects.) 3 used after words like `everyone', `anyone', `no one' etc when you talk about someone already mentioned and you do not know what sex they are or it is not important  (Someone told me they'd actually seen the accident happen themselves.) 4 in themselves used to say that ideas or situations only become important, serious etc when you consider other related ideas or situations  (None of the witnesses' statements prove anything in themselves, but together they are quite conclusive.) 5 (all) by themselves a) alone  (It is a sad fact that many pensioners now live by themselves.) b) without help  (Did the children make the model all by themselves?) 6 (all) to themselves if people have something to themselves, they do not have to share it with anyone  (In the new house the children will have a room to themselves.) 7 not be/feel themselves if people are not themselves, they do not feel or behave in the way they usually do because they are nervous, upset or ill  (- see yourself)