That

That , pron., a., conj., & adv.

[Anglo-Saxon eaet, neuter nom. & acc. sing. of the article (originally a demonstrative pronoun). The nom. masc. sē, and the nom. fem. seó are from a different root. Anglo-Saxon eaet is akin to Dutch dat, German das, Old High German daz, Swedish & Danish det, Icelandic þat (masc. sā, fem. sō), Gothic þata (masc. sa, fem. sō), Greek {not transcribed} (masc. {not transcribed}, fem. {not transcribed}), Sanskrit tat (for tad, masc. sas, fem. sā); compare Latin istud that. r184. Compare The, Their, They, Them, This, Than, Since.]

As a demonstrative pronoun (pl. Those), that usually points out, or refers to, a person or thing previously mentioned, or supposed to be understood. That, as a demonstrative, may precede the noun to which it refers; as, that which he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples.

The early fame of Gratian was equal to that of the most celebrated princes. — Gibbon

That be far from thee, to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. — Gen. xviii. 25

And when Moses heard that, he was content. — Lev. x. 20

I will know your business, Harry, that I will. — Shakespeare

Two principles in human nature reign; Self-love, to urge, and Reason, to restrain; Nor this a good, nor that a bad we call. — Pope

If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. — James iv. 16

That may refer to an entire sentence or paragraph, and not merely to a word. It usually follows, but sometimes precedes, the sentence referred to.

That is often used in opposition to this, or by way of distinction, and in such cases this, like the Latin hic and French ceci, generally refers to that which is nearer, and that, like Latin ille and French cela, to that which is more remote. When they refer to foreign words or phrases, this generally refers to the latter, and that to the former.

As an adjective, that has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun.

It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. — Matt. x. 15

The woman was made whole from that hour. — Matt. ix. 22

Upon a day out riden knightes two... That one of them came home, that other not. — Chaucer

That was formerly sometimes used with the force of the article the, especially in the phrases that one, that other, which were subsequently corrupted into th'tone, th'tother (now written t'other).

As a relative pronoun, that is equivalent to who or which, serving to point out, and make definite, a person or thing spoken of, or alluded to, before, and may be either singular or plural.

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame. — Bible (KJV) - Proverb ix. 7

A judgment that is equal and impartial must incline to the greater probabilities. — Bp. Wilkins

We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen. — John iii. 11

That I have done it is thyself to wite [blame]. — Chaucer

The ship that somebody was sailing in. — Sir W. Scott

I saw to-day a corpse yborn to church That now on Monday last I saw him wirche [work]. — Chaucer

That that dieth, let it die; and that that is to cut off, let it be cut off. — Zech. xi. 9

As a conjunction, that retains much of its force as a demonstrative pronoun.

(a)

To introduce a clause employed as the object of the preceding verb, or as the subject or predicate nominative of a verb.

She tells them 't is a causeless fantasy, And childish error, that they are afraid. — Shakespeare

I have shewed before, that a mere possibility to the contrary, can by no means hinder a thing from being highly credible. — Bp. Wilkins

(b)

To introduce, a reason or cause; -- equivalent to for that, in that, for the reason that, because.

He does hear me; And that he does, I weep. — Shakespeare

(c)

To introduce a purpose; -- usually followed by may, or might, and frequently preceded by so, in order, to the end, etc.

These things I say, that ye might be saved. — John v. 34

To the end that he may prolong his days. — Deut. xvii. 20

(d)

To introduce a consequence, result, or effect; -- usually preceded by so or such, sometimes by that.

The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings. — Milton

He gazed so long That both his eyes were dazzled. — Tennyson

So wept Duessa until eventide, That shining lamps in Jove's high course were lit. — Spenser

Is not this the day That Hermia should give answer of her choice? — Shakespeare

(f)

In an elliptical sentence to introduce a dependent sentence expressing a wish, or a cause of surprise, indignation, or the like.

Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight and I have seen! — Shakespeare

O God, that right should thus overcome might! — Shakespeare

To try if that our own be ours or no. — Shakespeare

When he had carried Rome and that we looked For no less spoil than glory. — Shakespeare

As adverb: To such a degree; so; as, he was that frightened he could say nothing. [Archaic or in illiteral use.]

With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that. — Pope

The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gowd [gold] for a'that. — Burns