By that; by how much; by so much; on that account; -- used before comparatives; as, the longer we continue in sin, the more difficult it is to reform. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"So much the rather thou, Celestial Light,
Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers
Irradiate." [1913 Webster]

the, before a vowel adj. & adv.
--adj. (called the definite article)
1 denoting one or more persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied, or familiar (gave the man a wave; shall let the matter drop; hurt myself in the arm; went to the theatre).
2 serving to describe as unique (the Queen; the Thames).
3 a (foll. by defining adj.) which is, who are, etc. (ignored the embarrassed Mr Smith; Edward the Seventh). b (foll. by adj. used absol.) denoting a class described (from the sublime to the ridiculous).
4 best known or best entitled to the name (with the stressed: no relation to the Kipling; this is the book on this subject).
5 used to indicate a following defining clause or phrase (the book that you borrowed; the best I can do for you; the bottom of a well).
6 a used to indicate that a singular noun represents a species, class, etc. (the cat loves comfort; has the novel a future?; plays the harp well). b used with a noun which figuratively represents an occupation, pursuit, etc. (went on the stage; too fond of the bottle). c (foll. by the name of a unit) a, per (5p in the pound; {pound}5 the square metre; allow 8 minutes to the mile). d colloq. or archaic designating a disease, affliction, etc. (the measles; the toothache; the blues).
7 (foll. by a unit of time) the present, the current (man of the moment; questions of the day; book of the month).
8 Brit. colloq. my, our (the dog; the fridge).
9 used before the surname of the chief of a Scottish or Irish clan (the Macnab).
10 dial. (esp. in Wales) used with a noun characterizing the occupation of the person whose name precedes (Jones the Bread).
--adv. (preceding comparatives in expressions of proportional variation) in or by that (or such a) degree; on that account (the more the merrier; the more he gets the more he wants).

Idiom:
all the in the full degree to be expected (that makes it all the worse). so much the (tautologically) so much, in that degree (so much the worse for him).

Etymology:
(adj.) OE, replacing se, seo, th{aelig}t (= THAT), f. Gmc: (adv.) f. OE thy, the, instrumental case

N  love, fondness, liking, inclination, regard, dilection, admiration, fancy, affection, sympathy, fellow-feeling, tenderness, heart, brotherly love, benevolence, attachment, yearning, eros, tender passion, amour, gyneolatry, gallantry, passion, flame, devotion, fervor, enthusiasm, transport of love, rapture, enchantment, infatuation, adoration, idolatry, Cupid, Venus, myrtle, true lover's knot, love token, love suit, love affair, love tale, love story, the, old story, plighted love, courtship, amourette, free love, maternal love, storge, parental love, young love, puppy love, attractiveness, popularity, favorite, lover, suitor, follower, admirer, adorer, wooer, amoret, beau, sweetheart, inamorato, swain, young man, flame, love, truelove, leman, Lothario, gallant, paramour, amoroso, cavaliere servente, captive, cicisbeo, caro sposo, inamorata, ladylove, idol, darling, duck, Dulcinea, angel, goddess, cara sposa, betrothed, affianced, fiancee, flirt, coquette, amorette, pair of turtledoves, abode of love, agapemone, loving, fond of, taken with, struck with, smitten, bitten, attached to, wedded to, enamored, charmed, in love, love-sick, over head and ears in love, head over heels in love, affectionate, tender, sweet upon, sympathetic, loving, amorous, amatory, fond, erotic, uxorious, ardent, passionate, rapturous, devoted, motherly, loved, beloved well beloved, dearly beloved, dear, precious, darling, pet, little, favorite, popular, congenial, after one's mind, after one's taste, after one's fancy, after one's own heart, to one's mind, to one's taste, to one's fancy, to one's own heart, in one's good graces, dear as the apple of one's eye, nearest to one's heart, lovable, adorable, lovely, sweet, attractive, seductive, winning, charming, engaging, interesting, enchanting, captivating, fascinating, bewitching, amiable, like an angel, amantes amentes, credula res amor est, militat omnis amasius, love conquers all, omnia vincit amor, si vis amari ama, the sweetest joy, the wildest woe.

1.  martyr(n = noun.person) sufferer - one who suffers for the sake of principle;
is a kind of victim
has particulars: shaheed, tindal, tindale, tyndale, william tindal, william tindale, william tyndale
Derived forms verb martyr₁, noun martyrdom₂, verb martyrize₁

2.  martyr(n = noun.person) - one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion;
is a kind of victim
has particulars: polycarp, saint polycarp, st. polycarp
Derived forms verb martyr₁, noun martyrdom₁, verb martyrize₁

1.  martyr(v = verb.contact) - kill as a martyr; "Saint Sebastian was martyred"
is one way to kill
Derived forms noun martyr₁, noun martyr₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody

2.  martyr(v = verb.body) martyrise, martyrize - torture and torment like a martyr;
is one way to excruciate, torment, torture
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody