early modern english - Does "'tis" means "this is" or "it is"?


I have found much trouble identifying the old word 'tis.


Does it mean "this is" or "it is?"


I have done some research and found that the dictionaries conflict.


One said 'tis :An old English word used in the place of this is ; a contraction of this is.


I showed this to my brother and he showed me another one it said 'tis :an old English contraction of the words it is.


as in:



'tis(this is) the voice of the lobster....or


'tis(it is) the voice of the lobster....



So how?




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