thing

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, thing, assembly; akin to Old High German ding thing, assembly, Gothic theihs time Date: before 12th century 1. a. a matter of concern ; affair <

many things to do

> b. plural state of affairs in general or within a specified or implied sphere <

things are improving

> c. a particular state of affairs ; situation <

look at this thing another way

> d. event, circumstance <

that shooting was a terrible thing

> 2. a. deed, act, accomplishment <

do great things

> b. a product of work or activity <

likes to build things

> c. the aim of effort or activity <

the thing is to get well

> 3. a. a separate and distinct individual quality, fact, idea, or usually entity b. the concrete entity as distinguished from its appearances c. a spatial entity d. an inanimate object distinguished from a living being 4. a. plural possessions, effects <

pack your things

> b. whatever may be possessed or owned or be the object of a right c. an article of clothing <

not a thing to wear

> d. plural equipment or utensils especially for a particular purpose <

bring the tea things

> 5. an object or entity not precisely designated or capable of being designated <

use this thing

> 6. a. detail, point <

checks every little thing

> b. a material or substance of a specified kind <

avoid fatty things

> 7. a. a spoken or written observation or point b. idea, notion <

says the first thing he thinks of

> c. a piece of news or information <

couldn't get a thing out of him

> 8. individual <

not a living thing in sight

> 9. the proper or fashionable way of behaving, talking, or dressing — used with the 10. a. a mild obsession or phobia <

has a thing about driving

>; also the object of such an obsession or phobia b. something (as an activity) that makes a strong appeal to the individual ; forte, specialty <

letting students do their own thing — Newsweek

> <

I think travelling is very much a novelist's thing — Philip Larkin

>