pron. & a.; pl. These [ OE. this, thes, AS. ðēs, masc., ðeós, fem., ðis, neut.; akin to OS. these, D. deze, G. dieser, OHG. diser, deser, Icel. þessi; originally from the definite article + a particle -se, -si; cf. Goth. sai behold. See The, That, and cf. These, Those. ] 1. As a demonstrative pronoun, this denotes something that is present or near in place or time, or something just mentioned, or that is just about to be mentioned. [ 1913 Webster ]

When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart. Acts ii. 37. [ 1913 Webster ]

But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched. Matt. xxiv. 43. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. As an adjective, this has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun; as, this book; this way to town. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This may be used as opposed or correlative to that, and sometimes as opposed to other or to a second this. See the Note under That, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

This way and that wavering sails they bend. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

A body of this or that denomination is produced. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their judgment in this we may not, and in that we need not, follow. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Consider the arguments which the author had to write this, or to design the other, before you arraign him. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy crimes . . . soon by this or this will end. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This, like a, every, that, etc., may refer to a number, as of years, persons, etc., taken collectively or as a whole. [ 1913 Webster ]

This twenty years have I been with thee.. Gen. xxxi. 38. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have not wept this years; but now
My mother comes afresh into my eyes. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. thistil, AS. þistel; akin to D. & G. distel, OHG. distila, distil, Icel. þistill, Sw. tistel, Dan. tidsel; of uncertain origin. ] (Bot.) Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera Cnicus, Craduus, and Onopordon. The name is often also applied to other prickly plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

Blessed thistle, Carduus benedictus, so named because it was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of venomous creatures. --
Bull thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, the common large thistle of neglected pastures. --
Canada thistle, Cnicus arvensis, a native of Europe, but introduced into the United States from Canada. --
Cotton thistle, Onopordon Acanthium. --
Fuller's thistle, the teasel. --
Globe thistle,
Melon thistle, etc. See under Globe, Melon, etc. --
Pine thistle, Atractylis gummifera, a native of the Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the involucre. --
Scotch thistle, either the cotton thistle, or the musk thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national emblems of Scotland. --
Sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus. --
Spear thistle. Same as Bull thistle. --
Star thistle, a species of Centaurea. See Centaurea. --
Torch thistle, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus Cereus. See Cereus. --
Yellow thistle, Cincus horridulus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thistle bird (Zool.), the American goldfinch, or yellow-bird (Spinus tristis); -- so called on account of its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under Goldfinch. --
Thistle butterfly (Zool.), a handsomely colored American butterfly (Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also painted lady. --
Thistle cock (Zool.), the corn bunting (Emberiza militaria). [ Prov. Eng. ] --
Thistle crown, a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings. --
Thistle finch (Zool.), the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness for thistle seeds. [ Prov. Eng. ] --
Thistle funnel, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Overgrown with thistles; as, thistly ground. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: Resembling a thistle or thistles; sharp; pricking. [ 1913 Webster ]

In such a world, so thorny, and where none
Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found,
Without some thistly sorrow at its side. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]