This dem. pron. and adj.

Pl. THESE, q.v. [Orig. the sing. neuter, nom. and acc., now the sole singular form of the OE. demonstrative þes, þéos, þis, corresp. to OFris. *this, thius (thisse), thit, OS. *these, thius (thesu), thit, OHG. dese, -er (later diser, dirro), desiu (disiu), diz, ON. m. and f. þesse, þessi, neut. þetta; a Norse and WGer. formation, produced by adding se, si (prob. = Goth. sai ‘see, behold’) to the simple demonstrative represented by THE and THAT, as shown by the early ON. Runic forms sá-si, sú-si, þat-si, acc. sing. þan-si, þá-si, þat-si, dat. þaim-si, pl. neuter þau-si. Later the compound was felt as a single word and inflected at the end, the initial þ being also extended to the m. and f. nom. sing., making *þá-si, *þú-si, in ON. þesse, -i, in OE. þe-s, þío-s or þéo-s. Gothic expressed the sense differently, viz., by adding to the demonstrative sa, sô, þata, the strengthening particle -uh, making sah, sôh, þatuh, pl. m. þáih. The OE. nom. pl. was þás, less commonly þǽs, ME. þēs; the former now represented by THOSE (which functions as pl. of that), the latter by THESE q.v. In OE, the word was thus inflected:

  In ME. these forms were gradually eliminated or reduced, until by 1200 in some dialects, and by 15th c. in all, þis alone remained in the sing.]

  A.  Forms and Inflexions. (For plural see THESE.)

  1.  Sing. Nom. α. masc. 1–4 þes, (1 þæs, þis), 2–3 (Orm.) þiss, -tiss, 3–5 þis, (3 þus, 4 þeos); 4– this. β. neut. 1–3 þis, (1 þæs), (Orm.) þiss, -tiss, 3–4 þes. γ. fem. 1 ðíos, (ðius, ðyus), 1–4 þéos, 2 þies, þyos, 2–3 þas, 3–4 þis, 4 þues.

  α, β.  670[?].  Bewcastle Column, in O. E. Texts, 124. Þis siʓbecn þun setton.

Beowulf, 1703. Þæt ðes eorl wære ʓeboren betera.

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John i. 30. Ðæs is of ðæm ic cuæð. Ibid., vi. 42. Ahne is ðis se hælend?

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 49. Þes put bitacneð deopnesse of sunne. Ibid., 81. Nu is þes prest uorþe.

c. 1205.  Lay., 16937. Þa þus [c. 1275 þes] dom wes isæid.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1902. Þoru þes signe.

1340.  Ayenb., 41. Þes boȝ heþ manie tuygges.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 253 (MS. γ). Þeos Salon his lawes.

  γ.  c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, cviii[i]. 27. Ðæt witen ðætte hond ðin ðeos is.

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John xii. 30. Ne fore mec stefn ðius [Rushw. ðios] cuom.

a. 1000.  Boeth. Metr., xx. 118. Þios eorðe.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John xii. 30. Þeos stefen.

c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., ibid. Þyos stefne. Ibid., vii. 36. Hwæt ys þies spræce þe he sprecð?

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 35. Nis þas weorld nawiht. Ibid., 103. Ðeos sunne fordeð eiðer ȝe saule ȝe lichoma.

c. 1205.  Lay., 261. Þeos ȝunge wiman. Ibid., 2061. Þus is þas burh i-uaren.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5579. To wonye þer as in hor owe, & a þis alf [MS. α (c. 1350) a þeos half] noȝt.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 13 (MS. γ). Þeos queene. Ibid., VI. 421. In preysinge of þis [γ þues] Elfleda.

  2.  Accus. α. masc. 1–4 þisne, (1 þysne, þeosne), 2–3 þesne, 3 þusne, 4 þerne. β. neut. as nom.; (also 3 þæs). γ. fem. 1–3 þás, 3 þes, (Orm.) þiss.

  α, β.  c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xliv. 324. ʓehieren men ðisne cwide.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 11. He ʓefylde þysne middanʓeard. Ibid., 15. Eal þæt folc þe þis wundor ʓeseah.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Saints’ Lives (1890), II. 38. Oþ þeosne andweardan dæʓ.

c. 1122.  O. E. Chron., an. 1012. Þet hi woldon þisne eard healdan.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 5. Al þe hebreisce folc … sungun þisne lofsong. Ibid., 27. Þesne mon ic habbe itaken.

c. 1205.  Lay., 216. Asscanius heold þis drihf[t]liche lond. Ibid., 827. Iche wlle þesne king læden mid me seolfan. Ibid., 4081. Þis wes þe feiruste mon þe æuere æhte ær þusne kinedom.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5104. Þis auisyon þat þe aungel him sede.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, vii. 216. For þou areredst þerne storm.

1340.  Ayenb., 94. Þerne gardyn ȝette þe greate gardyner þet is god þe uader.

13[?].  R. Gloucester’s Chron. (Rolls), App. H. 145. Þe king … þisne heiȝe man igrop.

  γ.  c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., 2 (heading). Hu S. Gregorius ðas boc ʓedihte þe man Pastoralem nemnað.

c. 975.  Rushw. Gosp., Matt. xv. 15. Arecce us ʓelicnisse þas.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. Þer efter arerde god þas laȝe.

c. 1205.  Lay., 2044. Þas [c. 1275 þes] burh he luuede swiðe.

  3.  Dative, α, β. masc. and neut. 1 þisum, þysum, ðissum, 2 þisen, ðise, þis, 2–3 þissen, þisse, 3–5 þis. γ. fem. 1–3 þisse, þissere, (þysse), 1–2 þisser, 2 þesser, þeser, 2–4 þusse, 3 þese, þis, 3–4 þise, 4 þyssere.

  α, β.  c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 21. Eac þeh ʓe cweþan to þisum [Lindisf. ðissum, Hatton þisen] munte, Ahefe þe upp.

a. 1131.  O. E. Chron., an. 1124. Sende se papa of Rome to ðise lande.

c. 1205.  Lay., 9912. A þisse londe.

  γ.  c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xii. 32. Ne on þisse worulde ne on þære toweardan.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. Wið-ute þeser laȝe. Ibid., Ærndraces of þisser laȝe. Ibid. An þesser laȝe.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 9. Heo is unbunden in þisse newe lae. Ibid., 91. On þissere tide.

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 342. Fared bi þusse strete.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 59. On þese wise.

c. 1205.  Lay., 5320. I þissere [c. 1275 þisse] burh.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 292/148. Criede in þusse place.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, Poems, i. 1449. Inne þe elde lawe þe ordre a-gan, Ine tokne oi þyssere newe.

a. 1325.  MS. Rawl. B., 520, lf. 48. On þusse manere ant in þilke forme sal þe writ ben idressed.

  4.  Genitive. α, β. masc. and neut. 1 þises, þys(s)es, 1–3 þisses, 3 þesses, 4 þisis. γ. fem. 1–2 þisse, 2–3 þissere.

  α, β.  c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., I. i. § 1. Þisne ymbhwyrft þises middanʓeardes.

a. 1000.  Boeth. Metr., xxiv. 3. Ofer heane hrof heofones þisses.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 230. Wið þesses wreches woreldes luue.

c. 1205.  Lay., 823. Ich habbe þisses [c. 1275 þis] folkes king.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 198. Þisses hweolpes nurice.

1382.  Wyclif, Tobit vii. 5. Tobie, of the whiche thou askest, is thisis fader [1388 the fadir of this man].

  γ.  c. 975.  Rushw. Gosp., Matt. xiii. 22. Be-hyʓdnis weorulde þisse.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., ibid. Eornfullness þisse worulde.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 21. For þisse weorlde lewnesse. Ibid., 105. Þa sorinessen þissere sterke worlde.

  5.  General uninflected form. 3 (Orm.) þiss, tiss, 3–5 þis, (3–4 tis, þes, 4–5 thus, 4–6 thys), 4– this.

c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 95. & whase wilenn shall þiss boc Efft oþerr siþe writenn. Ibid., 303. & tohh þatt tiss Elysabæþ … Wass þuss off Aaroness kinn. Ibid., 411. & ȝet tiss Goddspell seȝȝþ off hemm [etc.].

c. 1220.  Bestiary, 88. Al is man so is tis ern. Ibid., 276. Ðis little wile ðe we on ðis werld wunen.

a. 1440.  Sir Degrev., 387. Her is comen to thus walle,… Sire Degrevvant the gode knyȝt.

1478.  J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 219. To handyll well … thys mater now thys Lent.

1551.  R. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, Transl. Ep. This my poore present.

1552.  Huloet, Thys, hic, hæc hoc.

  B.  Signification.

  I.  Demonstrative Pronoun.

  1.  Indicating a thing or person present or near (actually in space or time, or ideally in thought, esp. as having just been mentioned and thus being present to the mind); spec. as being nearer than some other (hence opposed to that, or in earlier and dial. use to yon: see 3, also THAT B. II. 2).

  a.  a thing (concrete or abstract).

  Sometimes, for emphasis (in mod. use), placed (as subj.) after the noun (as pred.) with ellipsis of is: cf. THAT B. I. 1 a.

a. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., Pref. i. (1890), 2. For þinre ðearfe & for þinre ðeode ic þis awrat.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Mark i. 27. Hwæt ys þis?

1056–66.  Inscr. on Dial Kirkdale Ch. Yorks. Þis is dæʓes sol merca.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 110. Al þis was ȝwile icluped þe march of walis.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 22476 (Edin.). Þe toþer day … it sal be wel wer þan þiis.

1477.  Paston Lett., III. 186. Thes beyng the vj. letter that I have send yow.

a. 1575.  Wife lapped, etc., 1100, in Hazl., E. P. P., IV. 225. This yong man was glad, ye may be sure, That he had brought hys wyfe to this.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 148. O Stephano, ha’st any more of this?

1622.  Fletcher, Beggar’s Bush, III. iii. This is the wood they live in.

1654–66.  Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 131. The greatness of its horror had this of advantageous, that it made Death a Comparative Good.

1699.  Vanbrugh, False Friend, II. i. A very humdrum marriage this.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VIII. lxxvi. 362. This of Bavaria is a gallant and polite court.

1809.  Windham, Lett., 23 July, in Sp. (1812), I. 108. Terrible news this from Germany!

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. III. v. It has grown to be no country for the Rich, this.

1864.  Tennyson, Aylmer’s Field, 240. A gracious gift to give a lady, this!

Mod.  This is what I like.

  b.  a person. Now indicating a person actually present, and always as subj. of the verb to be, with the person as predicate; in which position the neuter þis was used in OE. (so Ger. dies ist mein bruder). (Cf. THAT B. I. 1 b.)

  † He this, she this, this man, this woman: see also 3. Obs.

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, xxiii[i]. 5. Ðes onfoeð bledsunge from dryhtne.

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. iii. 17. Ðis is sunu min leof [c. 975 Rushw. þis is min sune]. Ibid., xxi. 10–11. Hua is ðis?… ðis Is ðe hælend.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., ibid. Hwæt is þes?… þis ys se hælend. Ibid., xiv. 2. Þes [Lind., Rushw. þis, Hatton þes] is iohannes se fulluhtere.

c. 1275.  Passion Our Lord, 244, in O. E. Misc., 44. Þer arysen tweyne and bigunne to speke, Þes seyde hwat he wolde þe temple al to-breke.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11351. Quen þat sco þis can iesus se. Ibid., 18209. A ded man suilk als tis es an.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, III. 855 (904). This is so gentil and so tender of herte.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 52. More þan Jonas is he þis.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 19. He þis, by cause he was ane aliene,… was putte oute of þe land.

1451.  Capgrave, Life St. Gilbert, 77. And þis þat schuld be his successour he lerned for to do lich as he saide.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 640. Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., I. ii. 299. What a blunt fellow is this growne to be!

c. 1633.  Milton, Arcades, 5. This, this is she To whom our vows and wishes bend.

1808.  Scott, Marm., I. xxiv. Here is a holy Palmer come…. This were a guide o’er moor and dale.

1864.  Tennyson, En. Ard., 28. This is my house and this my little wife.

Mod.  This is our new inspector.

  c.  Referring to a fact, act, or occurrence, or a statement or question, mentioned or implied in the preceding context. (Cf. THAT B. I. 1 c.)

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., I. viii. § 1. Þa þis ʓedon wæs. Ibid., II. i. § 3. On þæm ilcan ʓeare þe þiss wæs.

a. 1123.  O. E. Chron., an. 1101. And þis þa mid aðe ʓefæstnodan.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1340. All þiss wass don forr heore ned.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14776 (Cott.). Quen iesus had said tis [other MSS. þis] and mare, He left all his disciplis þar.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., IX. xxv. 2910. Fore þis þane rais þe gret debaite.

c. 1500.  Melusine, 368. Euer thinking vpon this that Melyor had said to hym.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., V. ii. 49. Why this it is, to be a peeuish Girle.

1693.  J. Edwards, Author. O. & N. Test., 152. They said this as a jeer to the Jews.

1825.  L. Murray, Eng. Gram. (ed. 5), I. 325. Bodies which have no taste, and no power of affecting the skin, may, notwithstanding this, act upon organs which are more delicate.

1868.  Browning, Ring & Bk., VI. 234. This was years ago, Four hundred, full.

  d.  Pointing to a statement, proposal, or question which immediately follows. Cf. II. 1 b.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke viii. 11. Soðlice þis is þæt biʓspell, þæt sæd ys godes word.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8719. He bihet god & þat folc an biheste þat was þys, To alegge alle luþer lawes … & þe betere make.

c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 603. My reed is now this, Abide we no lenger.

1451.  Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 42. The question disputed amongis hem was þis, Fro whens þat euel comith.

1535.  Coverdale, Dan. v. 25. This is the scripture, that is written vp: Mane, Thetel, Phares.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., I. iii. 78. This aboue all: to thine owne selfe be true.

1664.  Butler, Hud., II. II. 255. Yet all of us hold this for true, No faith is to the Wicked due.

1858.  M. Arnold, Merope, 895. I speak no word of boast, but this I say: A private loss here founds a nation’s peace.

  e.  After various prepositions (after, before, by, ere, etc.), = ‘this time’; i.e., either, the present time, the time of speaking or writing; or, in narrative, the time just mentioned. (Cf. THAT B. I. 1 d; also NOW 13, THEN 7.)

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., Pref. 6. Hu sio lar Lædenʓeðeodes ær ðysum [Hatt. MS. ðissum] oðfeallen wæs.

a. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., I. vii. (1890), 40. Ða wæs se dema æfter ðyssum … ʓedrefed.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), cxx. 7. Of þisson forð awa to worulde.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 925. After ðis spac god to abram.

a. 1300.  Floriz & Bl., 430. Ihc wulle fonde what i do may Bituene þis and þe þridde day.

a. 1300.  [see BY prep. 21 b].

13[?].  Cursor M., 7252 (Fair.). Be þis [Cott. wit þis] his hare was waxin new.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 21. For it hath proeved ofte er this.

1571–2.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 130. Frome this furth I sall and will beare fayth and trew allegeance.

1607.  Shaks., Cor., IV. iii. 43. I shall between this and Supper, tell you most strange things.

1654–66.  Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 683. My Soldiers having (during this) taken a little refreshment.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. i. 17. Some time after this,… they fired three muskets.

1818.  Keats, Endym., I. 988. By this the sun is setting.

  f.  After a preposition, or as obj. of a verb: = ‘this place’ (Now (in colloq. use) more usually here: cf. HERE adv. B.)

c. 1460.  [see HERE adv. 1 d].

1535.  Lyndesay, Satyre, 2191. Betwixt this and Dumbartane.

1802.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), III. 496. I shall leave this on the 21st.

1841.  Lytton, Money, II. v. The finest player … between this and the Pyramids.

1868.  W. S. Gilbert, Bab Ballads, Bob Polter, xiv. You filthy beast, get out of this.

  g.  Strengthened by here immediately following (cf. II. 1. i): see HERE adv. 1 d. dial. and vulgar.

  † 2.  In OE. and early ME., used (like THAT) with the verb to be in the plural in reference to a plural predicate.

  (This was a collective use of the singular neuter.)

c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., iii. § 4. Sint þis nu þa god & þa edlean þe þu ealne weʓ ʓehete. Ibid. (c. 893), Oros., III. i. § 7. Þiss wæron ealle Creca leode.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Exod. i. 1. Thys synd Israela bearna naman.

c. 1205.  Lay., 25387. Þis weoren þa sixe.

  3.  In contrast to that: now almost always of things; esp. in phr. this and (or) that = one thing (or person) and (or) another. So † he this … he that = this (or the one) man … that (or the other) man (quot. 1426). Also occas. this … this = one thing (or person) … another; also this … the other.

[13[?].  Cursor M., 8502 (Cott.). Þat [the forbidden] tre was ded [v.r. deþ], þis sal be lijf.]

1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 210. In ech of hem he fint somwhat That pleseth him, in this or that.

1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 20110. He thys ys wroth, he that ys glad.

1526.  Tindale, Jas. iv. 15. For that ye ought to saye: yff the lorde will…, let vs do this or thatt.

1581.  E. Campion, in Confer., II. (1584), L iv. It shalbe reported that I sayd this and that, and my wordes shalbe depraued.

1629.  Donne, Serm., xxxi. (1640), 308. A Ruby will conduce best to the Expressing of This & an Emeraud of This.

1693.  Dryden, Persius’ Sat., iv. 19. This is not fair; nor profitable that; Nor t’other Question proper for Debate.

1800.  Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., II. 227. Because one man did this, that truly I must do that.

18[?].  M. Arnold, Epil. to Lessing’s Laocoon, 116. This through the Ride upon his steed Goes slowly by, and this at speed.

1870.  Morris, Earthly Par., I. I. 381. At their … feast they sat Thinking their thoughts, and spoke of this or that.

  b.  spec. (after Latin idiom.) The latter: in contrast to that = the former (THAT B. I. 3 b).

c. 1440.  Pallad. on Husb., IV. 21. Ffor sunne & wynde hem make a tegument, Lest they in this be shake, in that to brent.

1591.  Fraunce (title), The Countesse of Pembrokes Yuychurch. Conteining the affectionate life, and vpfortunate death of Phillis and Amyntas: That in a Pastorall; This in a Funerall.

1627–47.  Feltham, Resolves, I. lxxxvii. 271. Travaile … makes a wise man better, and a foole worse. This gains nothing but the gay sights, vices,… and the Apery of a Countrey.

1740.  Berkeley, Siris, § 72. Warm water … mixed with hot and cold, will lessen the heat in that, and the cold in this.

1868.  S. J. Stone, Hymn, ‘The old year’s long campaign is o’er,’ ii. Go forth! firm faith in every heart, Bright hope on every helm, Through that shall pierce no fiery dart, And this no fear o’erwhelm.

  c.  With That, as quasi-proper names (with capital T), indefinitely denoting one person and another. So ‘No. [= number] This … No. That.’

1824.  Byron, Juan, XVI. xliv. Miss That or This, or Lady T’other.

1864.  J. H. Newman, Apol., i. (1904), 9/2. He … placed me between Provost This and Principal That.

  d.  As quasi-sb.: a this or a that = one thing or another (in quot. 1656, one or other person of consequence); also nonce-pl. thises and thats.

1656.  Cromwell, Sp., 17 Sept., in Carlyle. A company of mean fellows,… not a lord, nor a gentleman, nor a man of fortune, nor a this nor that, among them.

1865.  Ruskin, Ethics of Dust, v. (1883), 100. You … begin to think that it is a chastisement or a warning, or a this or that or the other of profound significance.

1895.  Harper’s Mag., Nov., 952/1. There were many thises and thats put together.

1904.  Mrs. Whitney, Biddy’s Episodes, ii. 14. It is curious how many thises and thats one can put together, like Agassiz’s fish bones, till one has entire little histories.

  4.  Phrases. All this: cf. all that s.v. THAT B. I. 5 b; for all this, notwithstanding this: cf. FOR 23 a. Like this, of this kind; in this manner, thus: cf. like that (LIKE a. 1 ¶, adv. 1; THAT B. I. 5 b).

c. 1122.  O. E. Chron., an. 1006 (Laud MS.). Ac for eallum þissum se here ferde swa he sylf wolde.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3791. For al ðis, oðer day ðor was nest, Aȝenes moyses and is prest Gan al ðis folc wið wreðe gon.

a. 1774.  Goldsm., Surv. Exp. Philos. (1776), I. 288. Yet the friction shall not for all this become four times as great.

1858.  J. H. Newman, Sel. Ess., 213. The monks were not so soft as all this, after all.

1881.  Duffield, Don Quix., II. 548. To go like this … is like looking for … the bachelor in Salamanca.

1881.  W. S. Gilbert, Patience, II. You hold yourself like this, You hold yourself like that, By hook or crook, you try to look, both angular and flat.

1889.  C. C. R., Up for Season, 76. of what could we talk on an evening like this?

  II.  Demonstrative Adjective.

  1.  Used in concord with a sb., to indicate a thing or person present or near (actually or in thought), esp. one just mentioned: cf. I. 1.

  The use before a possessive pron. (e.g., this my son) is arch., the periphrasis with of being now substituted, as with that: cf. THAT B. II. 1.

  This morning, this afternoon, this evening now always mean ‘the morning (etc.) of today’ (whether past, present, or future): cf. MORNING sb. 3 d.

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., II. viii. § 1. Þysne nyttan cræft, þeh he arlic nære, funde heora tictator, Camillis hatte. Ibid. (c. 897), Gregory’s Past. C., 3 (Hatton MS.), heading. Ðeos boc sceal to wioʓora ceastre.

a. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., I. v. (1890), 32. Þes casere framlice rehte ða cynewisan.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xiv. 15. Ðeos stow ys weste.

1154.  O. E. Chron. On þis ʓær wærd þe king Stephne ded.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 141. Þes wimmannes name.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 473. & he, þiss Zakaryas, wass Bitwenenn oþre prestess … to serrfenn sett.

a. 1240.  Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 199. Ich habbe i-sungen þe ðesne englissce lai.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3951. Al-so leun is miȝtful der, So sal ðis folc ben miȝtful her.

1340.  Ayenb., 12. Þis article zette saynt andreu.

1382.  Wyclif, Luke xv. 24. For this my sone was deed, and hath lyued aȝen.

c. 1400.  Brut, 100. Þis Elfride hade a sone þat me callede Edwynne.

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), II. 285. Whiche consuetude peple of that cuntre vse to this tyme presente.

1518.  in Peebles Burgh Rec. (1872), 46. This last Sonday he send his … men.

1554.  T. Christopherson, in Maitland, Ess. (1849), 302. He had bene better a great deale to have lived amonge Turkes & Saracenes then amonge this kind of folke.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., II. i. 15. And this our life exempt from publike haunt.

1632.  Sir T. Hawkins, trans. Mathieu’s Unhappy Prosperitie, 163. This five yeares Consulship intoxicated him.

a. 1648.  Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 471. To omit of song: the same for this present.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 18, ¶ 1. It is my Design in this paper to deliver … a faithful Account of the Italian Opera.

1772.  Sheridaniana (1826), 47. I have this moment heard that Sheridan is returned.

1819.  Scott, Ivanhoe, xliv. To do battle for her in this her cause.

1851.  Tennyson, To the Queen, v. Take, Madam, this poor book.

  b.  Referring to something which is mentioned immediately alter. (Cf. the use of that for something mentioned before: see THAT B. II. 1.)

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xliv. 324. ʓehieren men ðisne cwide: Hald ðine ælmessan, ðylæs ðu hie forweorpe.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 225. Ic wille settan mi wed betwuxe me and eow to þisan behate, þat is [etc.].

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 44. And sigge, stondinde, þesne vreisun. ‘Uisita quesumus, Domine, habitationem istam.’

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 186. He began to syng þis antem, ‘O! pastor eterne.’

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXXV. (Percy Soc.), 180. In a russet banner … There was wrytten this worde, Detraction.

1681–6.  J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 48. Upon this account indeed they had great cause to rejoice, because now they knew they had a sure Friend in Heaven.

1703.  Thoresby, Lett. to Ray (E.D.S.). This additional list of local words is larger than I expected.

1864.  J. H. Newman, Apol., 63. I … confine myself to this one consideration, viz. [etc.].

  c.  In phrases denoting or referring to the present state or stage of existence; esp. this life, THIS WORLD (q.v.).

c. 1000–.  [see LIFE sb. 12 b].

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 187. To freurende þo forsineȝede of þis wrecche woreld.

1526.  Tindale, 1 Cor. xv. 53. For this corruptible must putt on incorruptibilite: and this mortall must put on immortalite.

1709.  Ken, Hymn, ‘All Praise to Thee my God this night,’ iii. That this vile Body may Rise Glorious at the awful day.

  d.  Referring to something as known, talked about, or (as in quot. 1610) inferred; esp. to something now in vogue or recently introduced. (Cf. THAT B. II. 1 b.)

1533.  Bellenden, Livy, I. viii. (S.T.S.), I. 46. Numa, this civil and Illustar prince.

1582.  Allen, Martyrd. Campion (1908), 16. Raised and upholden by this new religion.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. xiii. This lamentable losse of Constantinople.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. ii. 160. Oh this learning, what a thing it is. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, III. iv. 73. Get you some of this distilled carduus benedictus. Ibid. (1610), Temp., V. i. 280. Where should they Finde this grand Liquor?

Mod. colloq.  What do you think of this wireless telegraphy? This railway strike is a serious business.

  e.  Used before a date, esp. (now only) in legal or formal documents.

1582.  L. Kirby, in Allen, Martyrd. Campion (1908), 77. I bid you farewell, this x of Januarie, 1582.

1603.  Parsons, Lett., 6 July, in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. (1906), II. 218. And with this I byd you most hartely farewell … this 6 of July 1603.

1648.  Cromwell, Procl., in Carlyle, Lett. & Sp. (1871), II. 55. Given under my hand, this 20th September, 1648.

1739.  in J. O. Payne, Rec. Eng. Cath. of 1715 (1889), 53. I, William Plowden, being this 31st March, 1739, full 70 years of age.

  f.  Used instead of THESE in concord with a plural sb. or numeral; esp. (now only) with a plural treated as a singular (e.g., means, odds), or with a numeral expression denoting a period of time taken as a whole (in this case usually = ‘just past or completed,’ or more rarely ‘just beginning’). So also this many a day (year, etc.) = these many days, this period of many days (etc.) just past.

  The earlier evidence is often doubtful from the fact that this was long one of the forms of these: see THESE A γ.

[c. 1275.  Lay., 26320. Þis [c. 1205 þeos] þreo cnihtes bolde.]

c. 1420.  Avow. Arth., lxix. Thoȝhe ȝe sege this seuyn ȝere, Castelle gete ȝe none here.

c. 1450.  Cov. Myst., xiv. (1841), 132. More … Than evyr ther was this thowsand ȝere.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ix. 7. Whan the quene hard thys tidyngis.

1550.  Cranmer, Defence, To Rdr. Where-with they haue this many yeares deluded and bewitched the world.

1578–1600.  Scot. Poems 16th C., II. 164. This lang and mony ane day.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., V. ii. 25. Within this three houres will faire Iuliet wake.

1596.  Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 206. Which will bleed this many a yeare.

1779.  Mirror, No. 55, ¶ 7. By this means … even the worthiest men … may be led into fatal errors.

1810.  Southey, Ess. (1832), I. 9. Unless there be something to weigh against this fearful odds.

1867.  Ruskin, Time & Tide, xv. § 86 (1904), 109. The silence has kept my own heart heavy this many a day.

1883.  L. Oliphant, Altiora Peto, II. 261. This last six months.

  † g.  This bearer (bringer) = the bearer of this.

1493.  Plumpton Corr. (Camden), 106. I pray you that I may be answered by my servant, this bearer. Ibid. (c. 1495). I desire … you to send me a copple with my servant, this bringer.

1533.  Cranmer, Lett. to Ld. Rochford, in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.), II. 259. This bringer P. M. sueth unto me to write unto you in his favour.

1623.  Ussher, Lett. (1686), 91. I received your Graces Letter brought by this Bearer.

1630.  W. Bedell, ibid., 440. These things I write now in exceeding post-haste, in respect that this Bearer goes away so presently.

  h.  This once; this same (ilk); this side: see ONCE 9 c, SAME A. 5, B. 2, 4 (ILK), SIDE sb. 13 b.

13[?].  Cursor M., 15928 (Cott.). Þis ilk es an of his felauscep for-soth.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxiii. (George), 931. Þis sammyne aray, þat now þou seis me haf.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, IV. vi. 36. This ilk cursit fame.

c. 1542.  Udall, in Flügel, Neuengl. Leseb., I. 352. Be good maister to me this oons.

1769.  De Foe’s Tour Gt. Brit., I. i. 4. A little on this Side the Whalebone, a Place so called, because [etc.].

  i.  Strengthened by here immediately following: see HERE adv. 1 d. (Cf. that there, THERE B. 2 c.) Now dial. or vulgar.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 203. God forbede þat ony Cristene man understonde, þat þis here synsynge and criynge … be þe beste servyce of a prest.

1762–.  [see HERE adv. 1 d].

  † j.  This other = ‘the other’ (OTHER A. 3 b).

1300–1596.  [see OTHER A. 3 b (b), (c)].

  2.  In contrast to that: properly denoting the nearer of two things, but often vaguely indicating one thing as distinct from another, esp. in phr. this and (or) that … = one and (or) another…. So also † this … this … (quots. c. 1460, 1624); this … the other … (quot. 1717); this … the next … (quot. 1768). Cf. I. 3 above.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., ii. 251. Thou wold I gaf hym this shefe, or this sheyfe.

1551.  T. Wilson, Logike (1580), 33. Shewyng it to be true in this substaunce, and that substance.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 40 b. The cause of this or that precept.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 942. You that way; we this way.

1597.  A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., c j b. Those turne this way and that way in the hande.

1624.  Donne, Serm., ii. (1640), 16. How Rheubarb, or how Aloes came by this, or this vertue, to purge this, or this humour.

1697.  Dryden, Æneid, I. 82. This way and that the impatient captives tend.

1717.  Prior, Alma, III. 494. This man pursues What if he gain’d he could not use: And t’other fondly hopes to see what never was, nor e’er shall be.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., I. § 16. Truth … must not be measured by the convenience of this or that man.

1768.  Goldsm., Good-n. Man, I. i. He laughs this minute with one, and cries the next with another.

1842.  [see DIVIDE v. 8 e].

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. iii. 128. The temporary … superiority of this or that Bretwalda.

  III.  Combinations and special collocations.

  † This gate, (in) this way, thus (cf. THUS-GATE); † this half (obs.), this side (HALF sb. 1, 2); a (on) this half = on this side of (see also A-THIS-HALF); this-how adv. (nonce-wd. after somehow), in this manner, thus (in quot. as sb.); this-like a., like this, such as this, of this kind (cf. these-like, THESE, B. III); this-way-ward adv., towards this way, in this direction; † this while advb. phr. (also † this whiles), during this time, or the time in question; meanwhile, the while. See also THIS-KIN, THISWISE, THIS WORLD.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, XII. xi. 28. Turnus, lat ws persew Troianys *this gayt.

1872, 1893.  [see GATE sb.² 2].

c. 1205.  Lay., 14018. A *þas hælf [c. 1275 a þis half] þere Humbre.

1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, I. ix. (Skeat), l. 39. Is not euery thyng a thiss-halfe God; Made buxome to mannes contemplacion?

1476.  Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 162. xij myle on thysehalff Roome, the Lorde Ryverse was robbyd off alle hys jowelles.

1868.  Browning, Ring & Bk., I. 706. The somehow may be *thishow.

1880.  W. Watson, Prince’s Quest, Poems, 1905, II. 153. The passion … voiced itself in *this-like monotone.

1662.  Pepys, Diary, 7 May. He left the Queen and fleet in the Bay of Biscay, coming *this wayward.

1594.  Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, xiii. (1596), 236. A thousand inconueniencies come into his fancie, which hold him in suspense, and *this-while the occasion of the remedie passeth away.

1644.  Digby, Nat. Soul, Concl. 455. Making roome for this soule rauishing contemplation, by remouing this whiles all other images of things farre from me.

1660.  F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 3. This while the greatest part of us perished on the shallowes.