Sŭch, a.
a. [O. Eng. sich, sik, sike, suche, swiche, swiche, swich, swilch, swilk, swillke, A-S. swelic, swile, swyle, swelc, sulic, O. Sax. sulic, O. Fries. sellech, sellih, selk, sullik, sulch, suk, L. Ger. sulk, sölk, zulc, süli, D. zulk, Icel. slíkr, for sválíkr, sválikr, O. Sw. salik, Sw. slik, Dan. slig, O. H. Ger. sōlih, sulîh, M. H. Ger. solich, solh, sülich, N. H. Ger. solch, Goth. swaleiks, from sva, so, and leiks, like.]
Sense 1. Of that kind; of the like kind; like; resembling; similar; as, we never saw such a day;—followed by as before the thing to which it relates; as, give your children such precepts as tend to make them wiser and better.
☞ It is to be noted that the indefinite article a or an never precedes such, but that it is placed between it and the noun to which it refers; as, such a man; such an honor.
Sense 2. Of that particular quality or character specified.
Sense 3. The same that;—with as; as, this was the state of the kingdom at such time as the enemy landed.
That thou art happy, owe to God; That thou continuest such, owe to thyself. Milton.
Sense 4. Certain;—representing the object as particularized in terms which are not mentioned. [Obs.] “And tells him such a knight is new arrived.” Daniel.
Such and such, or such or such, certain; some;—used to represent the object indefinitely, as particularized in one way or another, or one and another, not then mentioned. “The sovereign authority may enact a law, commanding such and such an action.” South.