1. Something that is close at hand and under immediate discussion or observation: "We will continue to discuss this at our next meeting."
  2. Something or someone near in time, place, etc.: "This is the person I wanted you to meet."
3. What has been indicated in a subsequent expression: "I will say this about my best friend; she is always there when I need her."

A function word used to introduce a noun clause, often used instead of a direct quotation; used to introduce an exclamatory clause: "She said that he was the president of the soccer club at school."

"I was upset that the conflict between the students and the faculty should result in such mudslinging!"

Used to identify a person, a thing, an idea, etc. as indicated or mentioned before: "We were introduced at a dance and after that we saw each other quite often."