Main Entry: ¹this

Pronunciation: \ˈthis, thəs\

Function: pronoun

Inflected Form(s): plural these \ˈthēz\

Etymology: Middle English, pron. & adjective, from Old English thes (masculine), this (neuter); akin to Old High German dese this, Old English thæt that

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <these are my hands> (2) : what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse <I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday> b : this time or place <expected to return before this>
2 a : the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion <this is iron and that is tin> b : the one more recently referred to