The definite article _the_ belongs to nouns in the _singular_ or
_plural_ number; as, "_The_ star, _the_ stars; _the_ hat, _the_ hats."
NOTE 1. A nice distinction in the meaning is sometimes effected by
the use or omission of the article _a_. If I say, "He behaved with
_a_ little reverence," my meaning is positive. But if I say, "He
behaved with little reverence," my meaning is negative. By the
former, I rather praise a person; by the latter, I dispraise him.
When I say, "There were few men with him," I speak diminutively, and
mean to represent them as inconsiderable; whereas, when I say,
"There were a few men with him," I evidently intend to make the most
of them.
2. The indefinite article sometimes has the meaning of _every_ or
_each_; as, "They cost five shillings _a_ dozen;" that is, '_every_
dozen.'
"A man he was to all the country dear,
And passing rich with forty pounds _a_ year!"
that is, '_every_ year.'
3. When several adjectives are connected, and express the various
qualities of things individually different, though alike in name,
the article should be repeated; but when the qualities all belong to
the same thing or things, the article should not be repeated. "_A_
black and _a_ white calf," signifies, A black _calf_, and a white
_calf_; but "_A_ black and white calf," describes the two colors of
_one_ calf.