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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

THAT, an adjective, pronoun or substitute.
1. That is a word used as a definitive adjective, pointing to a certain person or thing before mentioned, or supposed to be understood. "Here is that book we have been seeking this hour." "Here goes that man we were talking of."
It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 10.
2. That is used definitively, to designate a specific thing or person emphatically.
The woman was made whole from that hour. Matthew 9.
In these cases, that is an adjective. In the two first examples,the may be substituted for it. "Here is the book we have been seeking." "Here goes the man we were talking of." But in other cases, the cannot supply its place, and that may be considered as more emphatically definite than the.
3. That is used as the representative of a noun, either a person or a thing. In this use, it is often a pronoun and a relative. When it refers to persons, it is equivalent to who, and when it refers to a thing, it is equivalent to which. In this use, it represents either the singular number or the plural.
He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame. Proverbs 9.
They that hate me without a cause, are more than the hairs of my head. Psalms 63.
A judgment that is equal and impartial, must incline to the greater probabilities.
They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend. Matthew 13.
4. That is also the representative of a sentence or part of a sentence, and often of a series of sentences. In this case, that is not strictly a pronoun, a word standing for a noun; but is, so to speak, a pro-sentence, the substitute for a sentence, to save the repetition of it.
And when Moses heard that, he was content. Leviticus 10.
That here stands for the whole of what Aaron had said, or the whole of the preceding verse.
I will know your business,that I will.
Ye defraud, and that your brethren. 1 Corinthians 6.
That sometimes in this use, precedes the sentence or clause to which it refers.
That be far from thee, to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. Genesis 18.
That here represents the clause in italics.
5. That sometimes is the substitute for an adjective. You allege that the man is innocent; that he is not.
6. That, in the following use, has been called a conjunction. "I heard that the Greeks had defeated the Turks." But in this case, that has the same character as in No.4. It is the representative of the part of the sentence which follows, as may be seen by inverting the order of the clauses. "The Greeks had defeated the Turks; I heard that." "It is not that I love you less." That here refers to the latter clause of the sentence, as a kind of demonstrative.
7. That was formerly used for that which, like what.
We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen. John 3. [This use is no longer held legitimate.]
8. That is used in opposition to this, or by way of distinction.
9. When this and that refer to foregoing words, this, like the Latin hie, and French ceci, refers to the latter, and that to the former. It is the same with these and those.
Self-love and reason to one end aspire,
Pain their aversion, pleasure their desire,
But greedy that, its object would devour,
This taste the honey, and not wound the flow'r.

10. That sometimes introduces an explanation of something going before. "Religion consists in living up to those principles; that is, in acting in conformity to them." Here that refers to the whole first clause of the sentence.
11. "Things are preached, not in that they are taught, but in that they are published." Here that refers to the words which follow it.
So when that begins a sentence, "That we may fully understand the subject, let us consider the following propositions." That denotes purpose, or rather introduces the clause expressing purposes, as will appear by restoring the sentence to its natural order. "Let us consider the following propositions, that, [for the purpose expressed in the following clause,] we may fully understand the subject." "Attend that you may receive instruction;" that referring to the last member.
In that, a phrase denoting consequence, cause or reason; that referring to the following sentence.

Merriam Webster's

I. pronoun (plural those) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English thζt, neuter demonstrative pronoun & definite article; akin to Old High German daz, neuter demonstrative pronoun & definite article, Greek to, Latin istud, neuter demonstrative pronoun Date: before 12th century 1. a. the person, thing, or idea indicated, mentioned, or understood from the situation <that is my father> b. the time, action, or event specified <after that I went to bed> c. the kind or thing specified as follows <the purest water is that produced by distillation> d. one or a group of the indicated kind <that's a cat — quick and agile> 2. a. the one farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion <those are maples and these are elms> b. the former one 3. a. — used as a function word after and to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous word or phrase <he was helpful, and that to an unusual degree> b. — used as a function word immediately before or after a word group consisting of a verbal auxiliary or a form of the verb be preceded by there or a personal pronoun subject to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous verb or predicate noun or predicate adjective <is she capable? She is that> 4. a. the one ; the thing ; the kind ; something, anything <the truth of that which is true> <the senses are that whereby we experience the world> <what's that you say> b. plural some persons <those who think the time has come> II. conjunction Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) — used as a function word to introduce a noun clause that is usually the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative <said that he was afraid> (2) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is anticipated by the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb <it is unlikely that he'll be in> (3) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined as complement to a noun or adjective <we are certain that this is true> <the fact that you are here> (4) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression <will go anywhere that he is invited> b. — used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a strong emotion especially of surprise, sorrow, or indignation <that it should come to this!> 2. a. (1) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing purpose or desired result <cutting down expenses that her son might inherit an unencumbered estate — W. B. Yeats> (2) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause <rejoice that you are lightened of a load — Robert Browning> (3) — used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing consequence, result, or effect <are of sufficient importance that they cannot be neglected — Hannah Wormington> b. — used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a wish <oh, that he would come> 3. — used as a function word after a subordinating conjunction without modifying its meaning <if that thy bent of love be honorable — Shakespeare> III. adjective (plural those) Date: 12th century 1. a. being the person, thing, or idea specified, mentioned, or understood b. being the one specified — usually used for emphasis <that rarity among leaders> <that brother of yours> c. so great a ; such 2. the farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion <this chair or that one> IV. pronoun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English thζt, neuter relative pronoun, from thζt, neuter demonstrative pronoun Date: before 12th century 1. — used as a function word to introduce a restrictive relative clause and to serve as a substitute within that clause for the substantive modified by the clause <the house that Jack built> <I'll make a ghost of him that lets me — Shakespeare> 2. a. at which ; in which ; on which ; by which ; with which ; to which <each year that the lectures are given> b. according to what ; to the extent of what — used after a negative <has never been here that I know of> 3. a. archaic that which b. obsolete the person who Usage: That, which, who: In current usage that refers to persons or things, which chiefly to things and rarely to subhuman entities, who chiefly to persons and sometimes to animals. The notion that that should not be used to refer to persons is without foundation; such use is entirely standard. Because that has no genitive form or construction, of which or whose must be substituted for it in contexts that call for the genitive. Usage: That, which: Although some handbooks say otherwise, that and which are both regularly used to introduce restrictive clauses in edited prose. Which is also used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses. That was formerly used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses; such use is virtually nonexistent in present-day edited prose, though it may occasionally be found in poetry. V. adverb Date: 13th century 1. to such an extent <a nail about that long> 2. very, extremely — usually used with the negative <did not take the festival that seriously — Eric Goldman>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

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). Usage: 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). Usage: 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!). Usage: Often omitted in senses 1,
3: they say he is better. Phrases and idioms: all 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. Etymology: OE thæt, nom. & acc. sing. neut. of demons. pron. & adj. se, seo, thæt f. Gmc; those f. OE thas pl. of thes THIS

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

But what is used for but that, usually after a negative, and excludes everything contrary to the assertion in the following sentence. ``Her needle is not so absolutely perfect in tent and cross stitch but what my superintendence is advisable.'' --Sir W. Scott. ``Never fear but what our kite shall fly as high.'' --Ld. Lytton. What ho! an exclamation of calling. What if, what will it matter if; what will happen or be the result if. ``What if it be a poison?'' --Shak. What of this? that? it? etc., what follows from this, that, it, etc., often with the implication that it is of no consequence. ``All this is so; but what of this, my lord?'' --Shak. ``The night is spent, why, what of that?'' --Shak. What though, even granting that; allowing that; supposing it true that. ``What though the rose have prickles, yet't is plucked.'' --Shak. What time, or What time as, when. [Obs. or Archaic] ``What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.'' --Ps. lvi. 3. What time the morn mysterious visions brings. --Pope.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

That That, pron., a., conj., & adv. [AS. [eth][ae]t, neuter nom. & acc. sing. of the article (originally a demonstrative pronoun). The nom. masc. s[=e], and the nom. fem. se['o] are from a different root. AS. [eth][ae]t is akin to D. dat, G. das, OHG. daz, Sw. & Dan. det, Icel. [thorn]at (masc. s[=a], fem. s[=o]), Goth. [thorn]ata (masc. sa, fem. s[=o]), Gr. ? (masc. ?, fem. ?), Skr. tat (for tad, masc. sas, fem. s[=a]); cf. L. istud that. [root]184. Cf. The, Their, They, Them, This, Than, Since.] 1. As a demonstrative pronoun (pl. Those), that usually points out, or refers to, a person or thing previously mentioned, or supposed to be understood. That, as a demonstrative, may precede the noun to which it refers; as, that which he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples. The early fame of Gratian was equal to that of the most celebrated princes. --Gibbon. Note: That may refer to an entire sentence or paragraph, and not merely to a word. It usually follows, but sometimes precedes, the sentence referred to. That be far from thee, to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. --Gen. xviii. 25. And when Moses heard that, he was content. --Lev. x. 20. I will know your business, Harry, that I will. --Shak. Note: That is often used in opposition to this, or by way of distinction, and in such cases this, like the Latin hic and French ceci, generally refers to that which is nearer, and that, like Latin ille and French cela, to that which is more remote. When they refer to foreign words or phrases, this generally refers to the latter, and that to the former. Two principles in human nature reign; Self-love, to urge, and Reason, to restrain; Nor this a good, nor that a bad we call. --Pope. If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. --James iv. 16. 2. As an adjective, that has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun. It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. --Matt. x. 15. The woman was made whole from that hour. --Matt. ix. 22. Note: That was formerly sometimes used with the force of the article the, especially in the phrases that one, that other, which were subsequently corrupted into th'tone, th'tother (now written t'other). Upon a day out riden knightes two . . . That one of them came home, that other not. --Chaucer. 3. As a relative pronoun, that is equivalent to who or which, serving to point out, and make definite, a person or thing spoken of, or alluded to, before, and may be either singular or plural. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame. --Prov. ix. 7. A judgment that is equal and impartial must incline to the greater probabilities. --Bp. Wilkins.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. DEMONSTRATIVE USES Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Please look at category 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. You use that to refer back to an idea or situation expressed in a previous sentence or sentences. They said you particularly wanted to talk to me. Why was that?... Some members feared Germany might raise its interest rates on Thursday. That could have set the scene for a confrontation with the US. PRON • That is also a determiner. The most important purpose of our Health Care is to support you when making a claim for medical treatment. For that reason the claims procedure is as simple and helpful as possible. DET 2. You use that to refer to someone or something already mentioned. The Commissioners get between £50,000 and £60,000 a year in various allowances. But that amount can soar to £90,000 a year... DET 3. When you have been talking about a particular period of time, you use that to indicate that you are still referring to the same period. You use expressions such as that morning or that afternoon to indicate that you are referring to an earlier period of the same day. The story was published in a Sunday newspaper later that week... DET 4. You use that in expressions such as that of and that which to introduce more information about something already mentioned, instead of repeating the noun which refers to it. (FORMAL) A recession like that of 1973-74 could put one in ten American companies into bankruptcy... PRON: PRON of n, PRON pron-rel 5. You use that in front of words or expressions which express agreement, responses, or reactions to what has just been said. 'She said she'd met you in England.'—'That's true.'... 'I've never been to Paris.'—'That's a pity. You should go one day.' PRON 6. You use that to introduce a person or thing that you are going to give details or information about. (FORMAL) In my case I chose that course which I considered right... DET 7. You use that when you are referring to someone or something which is a distance away from you in position or time, especially when you indicate or point to them. When there are two or more things near you, that refers to the more distant one. Look at that guy. He's got red socks... Where did you get that hat?... DET • That is also a pronoun. That looks heavy. May I carry it for you? PRON 8. You use that when you are identifying someone or asking about their identity. That's my wife you were talking to... I answered the phone and this voice went, 'Hello? Is that Alison?' PRON 9. You can use that when you expect the person you are talking to to know what or who you are referring to, without needing to identify the particular person or thing fully. (SPOKEN) Did you get that cheque I sent?... DET • That is also a pronoun. That was a terrible case of blackmail in the paper today... PRON 10. If something is not that bad, funny, or expensive for example, it is not as bad, funny, or expensive as it might be or as has been suggested. Not even Gary, he said, was that stupid... ADV: with brd-neg, ADV adj/adv 11. You can use that to emphasize the degree of a feeling or quality. (INFORMAL) I would have walked out, I was that angry... = so ADV: ADV adj/adv [emphasis] 12. see also those 13. You use and all that or and that to refer generally to everything else which is associated with what you have just mentioned. (INFORMAL) I'm not a cook myself but I am interested in nutrition and that. PHRASE: cl/group PHR [vagueness] 14. You use at that after a statement which modifies or emphasizes what you have just said. Success never seems to come but through hard work, often physically demanding work at that... PHRASE: n/adj PHR [emphasis] 15. You use that is or that is to say to indicate that you are about to express the same idea more clearly or precisely. I am a disappointing, though generally dutiful, student. That is, I do as I'm told... PHRASE: PHR with cl/group 16. You use that's it to indicate that nothing more needs to be done or that the end has been reached. When he left the office, that was it, the workday was over. PHRASE: V inflects 17. You use that's it to express agreement with or approval of what has just been said or done. 'You got married, right?'—'Yeah, that's it.' = exactly CONVENTION [formulae] 18. You use just like that to emphasize that something happens or is done immediately or in a very simple way, often without much thought or discussion. (INFORMAL) Just like that, I was in love... PHRASE: PHR with cl [emphasis] 19. You use that's that to say there is nothing more you can do or say about a particular matter. (SPOKEN) 'Well, if that's the way you want it,' he replied, tears in his eyes, 'I guess that's that.' PHRASE: V inflects 20. like that: see like this and that: see this this, that and the other: see this II. CONJUNCTION AND RELATIVE PRONOUN USES Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You can use that after many verbs, adjectives, nouns, and expressions to introduce a clause in which you report what someone has said, or what they think or feel. He called her up one day and said that he and his wife were coming to New York... We were worried that she was going to die... CONJ 2. You use that after 'it' and a link verb and an adjective to comment on a situation or fact. I've made up my mind, but it's obvious that you need more time to think... CONJ: it v-link adj CONJ cl 3. You use that to introduce a clause which gives more information to help identify the person or thing you are talking about. ...pills that will make the problem disappear. ...a car that won't start... PRON 4. You use that after expressions with 'so' and 'such' in order to introduce the result or effect of something. She became so nervous that she shook violently... CONJ: so/such group CONJ cl





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