adj. & pron.
adj. 1 (often foll. by as) of the kind or degree in question or under consideration (such a person; such people; people such as these). 2 (usu. foll. by as to + infin. or that + clause) so great; in such high degree (not such a fool as to believe them; had such a fright that he fainted). 3 of a more than normal kind or degree (we had such an enjoyable evening; such horrid language). 4 of the kind or degree already indicated, or implied by the context (there are no such things; such is life). 5 Law or formal the aforesaid; of the aforesaid kind.
pron. 1 the thing or action in question or referred to (such were his words; such was not my intention). 2 a Commerce or colloq. the aforesaid thing or things; it, they, or them (those without tickets should purchase such). b similar things; suchlike (brought sandwiches and such). as such as being what has been indicated or named (a stranger is welcomed as such; there is no theatre as such). such-and-such
adj. of a particular kind but not needing to be specified.
n. a person or thing of this kind. such-and-such a person someone; so-and-so. such as 1 of a kind that; like (a person such as we all admire). 2 for example (insects, such as moths and bees). 3 those who (such as don't need help). such as it is despite its shortcomings (you are welcome to it, such as it is). such a one 1 (usu. foll. by as) such a person or such a thing. 2 archaic some person or thing unspecified.
[ OE swilc, swylc f. Gmc: cf. LIKE(1) ]