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/ohn/, adj.1. of, pertaining to, or belonging to oneself or itself (usually used after a possessive to emphasize the idea of ownership, interest, or relation conveyed by the possessive): He spent only his own money.2. (used as an intensifier to indicate oneself as the sole agent of some activity or action, prec. by a possessive): He insists on being his own doctor.3. come into one's own,a. to take possession of that which is due or owed one.b. to receive the recognition that one's abilities merit: She finally came into her own as a sculptor of the first magnitude.4. get one's own back, to get revenge and thereby a sense of personal satisfaction, as for a slight or a previous setback; get even with somebody or something: He saw the award as a way of getting his own back for all the snubs by his colleagues.5. hold one's own,a. to maintain one's position or condition: The stock market seems to be holding its own these days.b. to be equal to the opposition: He can hold his own in any fight.6. of one's own, belonging to oneself: She had never had a room of her own.7. on one's own,a. by dint of one's own efforts, resources, or sense of responsibility; independently: Because she spoke the language, she got around the country very well on her own.b. living or functioning without dependence on others; independent: My son's been on his own for several years.v.t.8. to have or hold as one's own; possess: They own several homes.9. to acknowledge or admit: to own a fault.10. to acknowledge as one's own; recognize as having full claim, authority, power, dominion, etc.: He owned his child before the entire assembly. They owned the king as their lord.v.i.11. to confess (often fol. by to, up, or up to): The one who did it had better own up. I own to being uncertain about that.[bef. 900; (adj.) ME owen, OE agen (c. G eigen, ON eigenn), orig. ptp. of agan to possess (see OWE); (v.) ME ownen, OE agnian, ahnian, deriv. of agen]Ant. 8. lack, need.
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Universalium. 2010.
