I. ˈthiŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, thing, assembly, reason; akin to Old High German ding thing, assembly, reason, Old Norse thing object of value, assembly, parliament, Gothic theihs time, and probably to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin
1.
a. : a matter of concern : affair
let's get this thing over with quickly
several things to attend to
b. things plural : state of affairs in general or within a specified or implied sphere
things are getting better
that wouldn't change things between us
how are things going at the office
c. : a particular state of affairs : situation , complication
try to look at this thing from another viewpoint
d. : event , circumstance
that shooting was a terrible thing
a lucky thing no one was lost in the fire
2.
a. : deed , act , accomplishment — used commonly as cognate object of do
expects to do great things
that was a mean thing to do to your brother
a thing worth doing is worth doing well
b. : a product of work or activity
likes to make things with his hands
c. : the end or aim of effort or activity
the thing is now to get well
liked to put first things first
3.
a. : whatever exists or is conceived to exist as a separate entity or as a distinct and individual quality, fact, or idea : a separable or distinguishable object of thought
there is a name for every thing
b. : the real or actual essence or substance as distinguished from its appearances or from a name, word, or symbol that stands for it : reality
in talking of its appearances we appear to distinguish the thing from the appearances — A.J.Ayer
a philosopher who deals with words and not things
— compare thing-in-itself
4.
a. : to entity that can be apprehended or known as having existence in space or time as distinguished from what is purely an object of thought
virtue is not a thing , but an attribute of a thing
b. : an inanimate object as distinguished from a living being
c. things plural : possessions, goods
assemble the inhabitants, their cattle, and their things
d. : whatever may be possessed or owned or be the object of a right — distinguished from person
e. : an article of clothing
haven't a thing to wear to the party
some new things for Easter
time to put on your things and come to dinner
get your outdoor things
f. things plural : equipment or utensils especially for a particular purpose
bring in the tea things
g. things plural : personal belongings : effects
packed his things and left
his things are always lying around
5. : an object or entity that cannot or need not be precisely designated
what's that thing in your left hand
do you ever use this thing
what does that round thing on the end of the motor do
churches … turned into mosques … or used for army stores and things — Rose Macaulay
6.
a. : detail , quality , point , particular
worrying over every little thing
the thing I don't like about this plan
the important thing to remember in night driving
b. : a material or substance (as food, drink, medicine) of a specified kind
avoid sweet or starchy things
7. : something that is said, told, or thought
say the right thing
think hard things of a person
a. : a written or spoken discourse
that any thing of mine is fit to live — P.B.Shelley
b. : a witty retort or story : jest
got off some good things in his speech
: idea , notion
says the first thing that comes into his head
c. : a piece of news or information
couldn't get a thing out of him
refused to tell me a thing about what he was doing
8. : being , individual
not a living thing was to be seen on that rocky expanse
— used often in pity
poor little thing
or contempt
how could you ever speak to that vile thing
or reproach
you selfish thing , you
or affection
she's a pretty little thing
9. : an artistic composition (as a piece of music)
has written many popular things for small bands
10.
a. : a way of acting or behaving
always tried to do the decent thing
especially : the proper, right, desirable, required, or fashionable way of behaving, talking, dressing — used with the
rolled-up blue jeans were the thing then among the teen-agers
b. chiefly Britain : one in normal health and good spirits — used with the
you've seemed nervous and not quite the thing ever since the reception — Margery Allingham
11. : an irrational fear of or strong prejudice concerning something : a mild obsession or phobia
she had this thing , lately, about driving at night
•
- a thing or two
- first thing
- good thing
- of all things
- sure thing
II. ˈthiŋ(g), -ŋk noun
also ting ˈtiŋ
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: thing from Old Norse & Icelandic; Icelandic thing assembly, parliament, from Old Norse; ting from Norwegian, Danish, & Swedish, from or akin to Old Norse thing — more at thing I
: a legislative or judicial assembly in Iceland and other Scandinavian countries
III. noun
: a personal choice of activity : specialty
sports just aren't my thing
— often used in the phrases do one's thing and do one's own thing
letting students do their own thing — Newsweek