Main Entry: ¹it

Pronunciation: \ˈit, ət\

Function: pronoun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hit — more at he

Date: before 12th century

1 : that one —used as subject or direct object or indirect object of a verb or object of a preposition usually in reference to a lifeless thing <took a quick look at the house and noticed it was very old>, a plant <there is a rosebush near the fence and it is now blooming>, a person or animal whose sex is unknown or disregarded <don't know who it is>, a group of individuals or things, or an abstract entity <beauty is everywhere and it is a source of joy> — compare he, its, she, they
2 —used as subject of an impersonal verb that expresses a condition or action without reference to an agent <it is raining>
3 a —used as anticipatory subject or object of a verb <it is necessary to repeat the whole thing> ; often used to shift emphasis to a part of a statement other than the subject <it was in this city that the treaty was signed> b —used with many verbs as a direct object with little or no meaning <footed it back to camp>
4 —used to refer to an explicit or implicit state of affairs or circumstances <how is it going>
5 : a crucial or climactic point <this is it>