Real Dictionary

self
A person's self is the essential part of their nature which makes them different from everyone and everything else.
Your self is your basic personality or nature, especially considered in terms of what you are really like as a person.

self in American English
the identity, character, or essential qualities of any person or thing
to self-pollinate
adjective: being the same throughout, as a color; uniform
noun: a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality
pronoun: myself, himself, herself, etc.

self in British English
adjective: of the same colour or material
noun: the distinct individuality or identity of a person or thing
pronoun: myself, yourself, etc

self-
combining form: Self- is used to form words which indicate that you do something to yourself or by yourself.

self- in American English
of oneself or itself
combining form: a combining form of self and variously used with the meanings “of the self” (self-analysis) and “by oneself or itself” (self-appointed); and with the meanings “to, with, toward, for, on, in oneself” (self-complacent), “inherent in oneself or itself” (self

self- in British English
combining form: of oneself or itself