it
1. it \(')it, *t\ pn [ME, fr. OE hit - more at HE] 1: that one - used as
subject or direct object or indirect object of a v erb or object of a
preposition usu. in reference to a lifeless thing {took a quick look at the
house and noticed ~ was very old}, a plant {there is a rosebush near the
fence and ~ is now blooming}, a person or animal whose sex is unknown or
disregarded {don't know who ~ is}, a group of individuals or things, or an
abstract entity {beauty is everywhere and ~ is a source of joy}; compare
HE, ITS, SHE, THEY 2: - used as subject of a verb that expresses a
condition or action with out reference to an agent {~ is raining} 3a: -
used as anticipatory subject or object of a verb {~ is nec essary to repeat
the whole thing}; often used to shift emphasis to a part of a statement
other than the subject {~ was in this city that the treaty was signed} 3b:
- used with many verbs as a direct object with little or no meaning
{footed ~ back to camp} 4: the general state of affairs or circumstances
{how is ~ going>
2. it \'it\ n : the player in a game who performs a function (as trying to
catch others in a game of tag) essential to the nature of the game