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