its
- (third-person singular impersonal possessive) belonging to it
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɪts/ / /ɪʔ.s/
contraction
Etymology: Contraction of it + is.
- Obsolete spelling of it's.
“As for the main bulk of Palaces, its true ſome have a greatneſs in plainneſs, […]”
“The Fleſh of man, becauſe its Nouriſhed by purer Blood, is delicater than the fleſh of other Creatures, and prefered before it by Canibals, or Man-Eaters.”
det
Etymology: Equivalent to it + -s (possessive marker). From the earlier form it's (it + -'s), which is now considered nonstandard. Began to displace his as the possessive of the neuter pronoun in the Middle English period; had fully displaced it by the 1700s.
- Belonging to it.
“The manner wherewith our Lawes assay to moderate the foolish and vaine expences of table-cheare and apparell, seemeth contrarie to it's end.”
“since I have been at the Pains to write it, if he consents to it's being published I will follow my Friend's Advice, and chiefly yours.”
noun
Etymology: See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
- plural of it
pron
Etymology: Equivalent to it + -s (possessive marker). From the earlier form it's (it + -'s), which is now considered nonstandard. Began to displace his as the possessive of the neuter pronoun in the Middle English period; had fully displaced it by the 1700s.
- The one (or ones) belonging to it.
“… both Houses have resolved to rob the North of a good friend of its and yours.”
“EBay Canada argued in court that the data sought by tax collectors was not its to give.”