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DorothyFromOz wrote:

This This ([th][i^]s), pron. & a.; pl. These ([th][=e]z).
     [OE. this, thes, AS. [eth][=e]s, masc., [eth]e['o]s, fem.,
     [eth]is, neut.; akin to OS. these, D. deze, G. dieser, OHG.
     diser, deser, Icel. [thorn]essi; originally from the definite
     article + a particle -se, -si; cf. Goth. sai behold. See
     The, That, and cf. These, Those.] cotton candy
     1. As a demonstrative pronoun, this denotes something that is
        present or near in place or time, or something just
        mentioned, or that is just about to be mentioned.
  
           When they heard this, they were pricked in their
           heart. --Acts ii. 37.
  
           But know this, that if the good man of the house had
           known in what watch the thief would come, he would
           have watched. --Matt. xxiv.
           43.
  
     2. As an adjective, this has the same demonstrative force as
        the pronoun, but is followed by a noun; as, this book;
        this way to town.
  
     Note: This may be used as opposed or correlative to that, and
           sometimes as opposed to other or to a second this. See
           the Note under That, 1.
  
           This way and that wavering sails they bend.
           --Pope.
  
           A body of this or that denomination is produced.
           --Boyle.
  
           Their judgment in this we may not, and in that we
           need not, follow. --Hooker.
  
           Consider the arguments which the author had to
           write this, or to design the other, before you
           arraign him. --Dryden.
  
           Thy crimes . . . soon by this or this will end.
           --Addison.
  
     Note: This, like a, every, that, etc., may refer to a number,
           as of years, persons, etc., taken collectively or as a
           whole.
  
           This twenty years have I been with thee.. --Gen.
           xxxi. 38.
  
           I have not wept this years; but now My mother
           comes afresh into my eyes. --Dryden.


 

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