Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1000-1100
Language: Old English
Origin: thy 'by that', from thæt; THAT1

the

2 adverb
     
the2
1 used before two comparative adjectives or adverbs to show that the degree of one event or situation is related to the degree of another one:
The more he eats the fatter he gets.
'When do you want it?' 'The sooner the better.'
2XX used before an adjective or adverb to emphasize that something is bigger, better etc than all others, or as big, good etc as it is possible for it to be:
He likes you the best.
I had the worst headache last night.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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