its

its · determiner, pronoun¹

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.

its · contraction²

Contraction of it + is.

its · noun³

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. Belonging to it.
• from 17th c. The one (or ones) belonging to it.