THE


Meaning of THE in English

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English thy ̄ by that, instrumental of thæt that

Date: before 12th century

1 : than before : than otherwise ― used before a comparative <none the wiser for attending>

2 a : to what extent < the sooner the better> b : to that extent <the sooner the better>

3 : beyond all others <likes this the best>

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.