θɪŋ n. 1 a
material or non-material
entity,
idea,
action,
etc.,
that is or
may be thought
about or perceived. 2 an
inanimate material
object (take that thing away). 3 an
unspecified object or
item (have a
few things to buy). 4 an
act, idea, or
utterance (a
silly thing to do). 5 an
event (an
unfortunate thing to happen). 6 a
quality (patience is a
useful thing). 7 (with
ref. to a person) expressing
pity,
contempt, or
affection (poor thing!; a
dear old thing). 8 a
specimen or
type of
something (the latest thing in hats). 9 colloq. one's
special interest or
concern (not my thing at all). 10 colloq. something
remarkable (now there's a thing!). 11 (prec. by the) colloq. a
what is conventionally
proper or
fashionable. b what is needed or required (your
suggestion was just the thing). c what is to be considered (the thing
is,
shall we go or not?). d what is
important (the thing about
them is
their reliability). 12 (in pl.)
personal belongings or
clothing (where
have I left my things?). 13 (in pl.)
equipment (painting things). 14 (in pl.) affairs in
general (not in the
nature of things). 15 (in pl.) circumstances or conditions (things
look good). 16 (in pl.
with a
following adjective)
all that is so describable (all things Greek). 17 (in pl.)
Law property. ødo one's
own thing colloq.
pursue one's own interests or inclinations. do things to colloq. affect remarkably. have a thing about colloq. be obsessed or prejudiced about.
make a thing of colloq. 1
regard as
essential. 2
cause a
fuss about.
one (or just one) of
those things colloq. something
unavoidable or to be accepted. [OE f. Gmc]
