THEIR


Meaning of THEIR in English

I.

Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse theirra, theira, gen. plural demonstrative & personal pron.; akin to Old Norse that, neuter demonstrative pron. — more at that

obsolete

possessive of they I

II. thər, (|)the](ə)r, (|)tha(a)](ə)r adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from their, pron.

1.

a. : of or belonging to them or themselves as possessors : due to them : inherent in them : associated or connected with them

their furniture

their rights

their neighbors

b. : of or relating to them or themselves as authors, doers, givers, or agents : effected by them : experienced by them as subject : that they are capable of

their verses

their confidence in you

responsible for their being here

doing their utmost

c. : of or relating to them or themselves as object of an action : experienced by them as object

their defeat

their being seen

d. : that they have to do with or are supposed to possess or to have knowledge or a share of or some special interest in

they know their algebra

they like their leisure

e. : that is especially significant for them : that brings them good fortune or prominence — used with day or sometimes with other words indicating a division of time

the twins had a wonderful birthday party; this certainly was their day

2. : his or her : his , her — used with a singular antecedent that is indefinite or that does not specify gender

anyone in their senses — W.H.Auden

we shall be pleased to send a free specimen copy … to a friend or relative on receipt of their address — London Calling

3. obsolete — used after a plural or collective noun or a group of two or more nouns to indicate a possessive case relation

in the father, mother, and governess their absence — The Lives of Women Saints

4. archaic : of those — used especially as antecedent to a relative pronoun

nor better was their lot who fled — Sir Walter Scott

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.