selfsame

[self-seym, -seym]

See more synonyms for selfsame on Thesaurus.com

adjective

being the very same; identical.

Origin of selfsame

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

Related formsself·same·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for selfsame on Thesaurus.com

exact, very, same.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for selfsame

Contemporary Examples

This selfsame worship of power demands also demands silence and absolute loyalty.
The Violent Side of Friday Night Lights
Robert Silverman
October 18, 2014
And yes, the NCAA recently rejiggered its Talumudically inscrutable rules in ways that will benefit the selfsame big five.
Welcome to the 2014 College Football Season: Exploitation, Florida State, and the Accused
Robert Silverman
August 28, 2014
Indeed, conspicuous precedent for forced change exists with respect to this selfsame Washington football club.
Dear Editors: Ban ‘Redskins’
Michael Tomasky
June 21, 2013

Historical Examples

They were pilgrims travelling the selfsame road as you were.
A Day's Ride
Charles James Lever
But, I take it, there are scores of fellows who have had the selfsame experiences.
Tony Butler
Charles James Lever
It was these selfsame, dull, monotonous chambers which Walter occupied.
The Doctor of Pimlico
William Le Queux
Just what they sang over her, and the selfsame youths must do it.
A Hungarian Nabob
Maurus Jkai
Might not another, others even, have read the selfsame words?
Antony Gray,--Gardener
Leslie Moore

British Dictionary definitions for selfsame

selfsame

adjective

(prenominal) the very same

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for selfsame

"identical," early 15c., from self + same. Written as two words until c.1600.

selfsame

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}selfsame

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for selfsame

Contemporary Examples

This selfsame worship of power demands also demands silence and absolute loyalty.

And yes, the NCAA recently rejiggered its Talumudically inscrutable rules in ways that will benefit the selfsame big five.

Indeed, conspicuous precedent for forced change exists with respect to this selfsame Washington football club.

Historical Examples

They were pilgrims travelling the selfsame road as you were.

But, I take it, there are scores of fellows who have had the selfsame experiences.

It was these selfsame, dull, monotonous chambers which Walter occupied.

Just what they sang over her, and the selfsame youths must do it.

Might not another, others even, have read the selfsame words?

selfsame

Word Origin and History for selfsame

Origin of selfsame