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.
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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.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 43, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
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.1751, G. Burnett, translated by Thomas More, Utopia:
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That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. (originally "of it own accord" in the 1611 first edition)1763, Authorized King James Version of the Bible, Oxford Standard Text, Leviticus 25:5
They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehensions of meeting its owner returned.1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice:
The Chinese government is at war with its own people.1989 June 5, Jasper Becker, John Gittings, The Guardian:
Nara and its deer are so closely associated that the light-brown colored animals are pictured in the city’s tourism ads, on buses, train tickets and more.2024 July 23, Lilit Marcus, “Japan may be sick of mass tourism. But the deer in this ancient UNESCO-listed city love it”, in CNN:
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.
1
The one (or ones) belonging to it.
… both Houses have resolved to rob the North of a good friend of its and yours.1645, Philip Wharton, 4th Baron Wharton, Letter to Ferdinando Fairfax, 6 February 1645
EBay Canada argued in court that the data sought by tax collectors was not its to give.2007 October 1, Ian Austen, “Canadian Court Opens Up eBay Data to Tax Agency”, in New York Times:
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...the Board of Trade of Chicago can at least feel that it has played its part manfully and patriotically, and that no act of its has stood in the way of National victory.1917, Charles Henry Taylor, History of the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, volume 2, page 1259: