Does "the" have a definition?

queproblema

Certainly it does. "The" is a function word, specifically a (I should say "the") definite article, pointing to or modifying another word. A definition can be simply "a statement expressing the essential nature of something." A function word is "a word (as a preposition, auxiliary verb, or conjunction) expressing primarily grammatical relationship." Some languages, notably Chinese, do just fine without them. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/the http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/definition http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/function%20word Dec 24 07, 3:58 PM

_shadow05_

"The" has a definition, CORE-MEANING: an adjective, the definite article, used before somebody or something that has already been mentioned or identified, or something that is understood by both the speaker and hearer, as distinct from “a” or “an” Resource: Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Dec 27 07, 6:14 AM