■ noun
1》 an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to.
↘( ~s ) personal belongings or clo~.
2》 an inanimate material object as distinct from a living being.
↘a living creature or plant.
↘a person or animal in terms of one's feelings of pity, approval, etc.: you lucky ~!
3》 an action, activity, concept, or thought.
↘( ~s ) unspecified circumstances or matters.
4》 ( the ~ ) informal what is needed or required.
↘what is socially acceptable or fashionable.
5》 ( one's ~ ) informal one's special interest or concern.
Phrases
be hearing (or seeing ) ~s imagine that one can hear (or see) some~ that is not in fact there.
a close (or near ) ~ a narrow avoidance of some~ unpleasant.
do one's own ~ informal follow one's own inclinations regardless of others.
have a ~ about informal have a preoccupation or obsession with.
there is only one ~ for it there is only one possible course of action.
Origin
OE (also in the senses 'meeting' and 'matter, concern'), of Gmc origin.