The

definite article, or definitive adjective. [A.-S. the or se, theó or seó, thāt, Goth. sa, sô, thata, Icel. sá, sú, that, L. Ger. de, dat, D. de, het, Sw. & Dan. den, det, O. H. Ger. der, diu, daz, N. H. Ger. der, die, das.] A word placed before nouns, and used, (a.) To designate or specify a general conception, or to limit a meaning more or less definitely; as, the laws of the Twelve Tables; the independent tribunals of justice in our country are the security of private rights, and the best bulwark against arbitrary power; the sun is the source of light and heat.

This he calls the preaching of the cross. Simeon.

When this word stands alone, or is emphasized, it is pronounced precisely like the pronoun thee; but in connection with other words, it usually suffers a shortening or corruption of its vowel, being pronounced thĭ, or very nearly so, before a word beginning with a vowel sound, and thŭ, or very nearly so, before a word beginning with a consonant sound. See Principles of Pronunciation, §128.—In poetry, the e was formerly always, and is still sometimes, cut off in printing before a word beginning with a vowel sound; as,

Shook th’ Arsenal and fulmined over Greece. Milton.

It should, however, never actually be elided, but the two vowels should be blended together like the elements constituting a diphthong, as the diphthong oi.

(b.) To personify or individualize a species; as, the fig-tree putteth forth her green figs; the almond-tree shall flourish; the grasshopper shall be a burden.

conj. & adv. [A-S. thy, thê, equivalent to Lat. eo, instrumental case of the, thät; Goth. the, O. H. Ger. thiu. See THAT.] By that; by how much; by so much; on that account;—before comparatives; as, the longer we continue in sin, the more difficult it is to reform. “Yet not the more cease I.” Milton.

To thrive or prosper. See THEE. [Obs.]