thing 1
/thing/ , n.
1. a material object without life or consciousness; an inanimate object.
2. some entity, object, or creature that is not or cannot be specifically designated or precisely described: The stick had a brass thing on it.
3. anything that is or may become an object of thought: things of the spirit.
4. things , matters; affairs: Things are going well now.
5. a fact, circumstance, or state of affairs: It is a curious thing.
6. an action, deed, event, or performance: to do great things; His death was a horrible thing.
7. a particular, respect, or detail: perfect in all things.
8. aim; objective: The thing is to reach this line with the ball.
9. an article of clothing: I don't have a thing to wear.
10. things ,
a. implements, utensils, or other articles for service: I'll wash the breakfast things.
b. personal possessions or belongings: Pack your things and go!
11. a task; chore: I've got a lot of things to do today.
12. a living being or creature: His baby's a cute little thing.
13. a thought or statement: I have just one thing to say to you.
14. Informal. a peculiar attitude or feeling, either positive or negative, toward something; mental quirk: She has a thing about cats.
15. something signified or represented, as distinguished from a word, symbol, or idea representing it.
16. Law. anything that may be the subject of a property right.
17. do or find one's own thing , Informal. to pursue a lifestyle that expresses one's self. Also, do or find one's thing .
18. make a good thing of , Informal. to turn (a situation, experience, etc.) to one's own profit; benefit by: She made a good thing of her spare-time hobbies.
19. new thing , Jazz. See free jazz .
20. not to get a thing out of ,
a. to be unable to obtain information or news from: The police couldn't get a thing out of him.
b. to fail to appreciate, understand, or derive aesthetic pleasure from: My wife likes opera, but I don't get a thing out of it.
21. see or hear things , Informal. to have hallucinations.
22. the thing ,
a. something that is correct or fashionable: That café is the thing now.
b. that which is expedient or necessary: The thing to do is to tell them the truth.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE: orig., meeting; see THING 2 ]
thing 2
/thing, ting/ , n.
(in Scandinavian countries) a public meeting or assembly, esp. a legislative assembly or a court of law.
Also, ting . Cf. thingstead .
[ 1830-40; 1 , D ding, G Ding thing, orig., meeting; akin to Goth theihs time ]