Pers. pron., pl. of HE, SHE, or IT.

part of speech: pronoun

The nom. plu. of he, she, of it, denothing more than one person or thing; used indefinitely, as " they say"- that is, the world at large. Note.- They, their, them, may with strict propriety be employed, even though their correlatives be in the sing. number; the use of these forms as singulars tends to prevent awkward repetitions and direct personalities. Such a form of expression as, " neither John nor his sister could recite his or her lessons," though strictly and grammatically correct, is an awkward one, and sounds harshly: 'neither John nor his sister could recite their lessons" is more pleasant to the ear, and is quaite in accordance with common usage:" In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."- Philip. ii. 3.