this

I. pronoun (plural these) Etymology: Middle English, pronoun & 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 II. adjective (plural these) Date: before 12th century 1. a. being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <

this book is mine

> <

early this morning

> b. constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse c. constituting the immediate past or future <

friends all these years

> d. being one not previously mentioned — used especially in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness <

then this guy runs in

> <

had this urge to go shopping

> 2. being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion <

this car or that one

> III. adverb Date: 15th century to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation <

didn't expect to wait this long

>