selfsame

American  

[self-seym, -seym] / ˈsɛlfˌseɪm, -ˈseɪm /

adjective

1. being the very same; identical.

   Synonyms:

   same, very, exact

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selfsame British  

/ ˈsɛlfˌseɪm /

adjective

1. (prenominal) the very same

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Other Word Forms

• selfsameness noun

Etymology

Origin of selfsame

1375–1425; late Middle English selve same; self, same; cognate with Danish selvsamme, Old High German selbsama

Example Sentences

And one of the editors was John Curtice, whose exit poll this evening now poses that selfsame question once again, nearly 30 years on.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2019

But let’s recall that he’s left it to that selfsame media to report on the things he cannot bring himself to say out loud—Russian hacks included.

From Slate • Apr. 26, 2019

And the views, while spectacular, were marred by teeming people, jabbering away, taking selfies, staring at those selfsame selfies instead of staring at Half Dome, the valley, the falls.

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2019

And in newsrooms across the country, keyboards clicking, phones buzzing, news gathering, fact checking, as a grieving family meets its calling to safeguard and empower that selfsame freedom.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2018

At this selfsame moment J.W. came awake and backed out of Lloyd’s lap, which was perfect.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck