Dictionary
thing
Pronunciation: (thing), [key]—
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. thing
Pronunciation: (thing, ting), [key]—
n.
(in Scandinavian countries) a public meeting or assembly, esp. a legislative assembly or a court of law.
Also,ting.Cf.
thingstead. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
