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.]
     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.