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single thing of the kind, in other respects indeterminate;

The, determines what particular thing is meaned, therefore the former is called the Indefinite, the latter the Definite Article.

It is proper also to observe that a, determines the thing spoken of to be of the Singular number, and the, of the Plural.

There is one remarkable exception to this rule in the use of the Adjectives few, and many, which though joined with the Plural substantives admits of the Singular Article, a few Men, a great many Men; the reason of this is evident from the effect the Article has in these phrases, it means a small or great number collectively taken, consequently gives the idea of Unity.

catchword The /catchword