thing

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Quotations 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Synonyms 1.3.4 Translations 1.3.5 Derived terms 1.3.6 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English, from Old English þing.

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: thĭng, IPA: /θɪŋ/, SAMPA: /TIN/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɪŋ

[edit] Noun

thing (plural things)

1. That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
2. A word, symbol, sign or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
3. An individual object or distinct entity.
4. (law) whatever can be owned.
5. the latest fad or fashion.
6. (in plural) clothes, possessions or equipment.
7. (informal) A unit.

   Get me a thing of apple juice at the store.

8. In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly.
9. (in certain fixed expressions) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.

   The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.

10. (slang) A penis.
11. A living being or creature.

    you poor thing

12. That which matters; the crux.

    That's the thing: we don't know where he went.

    The thing is, I don't have any money.

[edit] Quotations

• 1611 — King James Version of the Bible, Luke 1:1

  Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us...

[edit] Related terms

• diminutives: thingy / thingie, thingo [Aus]

[edit] Synonyms

• stuff (uncountable equivalent)
• item
• yoke (Ireland)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

anything everything here's the thing nothing something

the thing is thingamajig thingness thingo thingy

[edit] External links

• thing in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• thing in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911