̘. ̈pron. ̆̈pl. thosẽ ̘ˑðæt pron.,
adj., adv., & conj. --demons.pron. (pl. those) 1
the person or
thing indicated, named, or
understood,
esp.
when observed by the
speaker or when
familiar to the person addressed (I heard that;
who is that in the garden?; I
knew all that
before; that is
not fair). 2 (contrasted
with this) the
further or
less immediate or
obvious etc. of
two (this
bag is
much heavier
than that). 3 the
action,
behaviour, or circumstances
just observed or mentioned (don't do that again). 4
Brit. (on the
telephone etc.) the person
spoken to (who is that?). 5 colloq. referring to a
strong feeling just mentioned ('Are
you glad?' 'I am that'). 6 (esp. in
relative constructions) the
one, the person,
etc., described or specified in
some way (those who
have cars can
take the
luggage;
those unfit for use; a
table like that described above). 7 (pl. that) used
instead of
which or
whom to
introduce a defining
clause, esp. one
essential to
identification (the
book that you
sent me;
there is
nothing here that matters). °As a relative that usually specifies,
whereas who or which
need not:
compare the book that you sent me is
lost with the book, which I
gave you, is lost. --demons.adj. (pl. those) 1 designating the person or thing indicated, named, understood, etc. (cf.
sense 1 of pron.) (look at that
dog;
what was that noise?; things
were easier in those days). 2 contrasted with
this (cf. sense 2 of pron.) (this bag is heavier than that one). 3 expressing strong feeling (shall not
easily forget that day). --adv. 1 to
such a
degree; so (have
done that much; will go that far). 2 Brit. colloq.
very (not that good). 3 at which, on which, etc. (at the
speed that he was
going he
could not
stop; the
day that I
first met her). °Often omitted in this sense: the day I first met
her. --conj. introducing a
subordinate clause indicating: 1 a
statement or
hypothesis (they
say that he is better; there is no
doubt that he
meant it; the
result was that the
handle fell off). 2 a
purpose (we live that we
may eat). 3 a result (am so
sleepy that I
cannot keep my eyes open). 4 a
reason or clause (it is
rather that he lacks the time). 5 a
wish (Oh, that summer were here!). °Often omitted in senses 1, 3:
they say he is better. øall that very (not all that good).
and all that (or and that colloq.) and all or
various things associated with or
similar to what
has been mentioned; and so
forth. like that 1 of that kind (is
fond of books like that). 2 in that
manner, as you are
doing, as he has been doing, etc. (wish they
would not
talk like that). 3 colloq.
without effort (did the job like that). 4 of that
character (he would not
accept any payment -he is like that). that is (or that is to say) a
formula introducing or
following an
explanation of a preceding
word or words. that's colloq. you are (by
virtue of present or
future obedience etc.) (that's a
good boy). that's
more like it an
acknowledgement of
improvement. that's
right an
expression of
approval or colloq.
assent. that's that a formula concluding a
narrative or
discussion or indicating completion of a
task. that there sl. = sense 1 of adj. that will do no more is needed or
desirable. [OE thót, nom. & acc.
sing. neut. of demons. pron. & adj.
se, seo, thót f. Gmc; those f. OE thas pl. of thes THIS]