Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Thing
Thing
(thĭng)
, Noun.
[AS.
þing
a thing, cause, assembly, judicial assembly; akin to þingan
to negotiate, þingian
to reconcile, conciliate, D. ding
a thing, OS. thing
thing, assembly, judicial assembly, G. ding
a thing, formerly also, an assembly, court, Icel. þing
a thing, assembly, court, Sw. & Dan. ting
; perhaps originally used of the transaction of or before a popular assembly, or the time appointed for such an assembly; cf. G. dingen
to bargain, hire, MHG. dingen
to hold court, speak before a court, negotiate, Goth. þeihs
time, perhaps akin to L. tempus
time. Cf. Hustings
, and Temporal
of time.] 1.
Whatever exists, or is conceived to exist, as a separate entity, whether animate or inanimate; any separable or distinguishable object of thought.
God made . . . every
thing
that creepeth upon the earth after his kind. Gen. i. 25.
He sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good
things
of Egypt. Gen. xiv. 23.
A
thing
of beauty is a joy forever. Keats.
2.
An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material.
Ye meads and groves, unconscious
things
! Cowper.
3.
A transaction or occurrence; an event; a deed.
[And Jacob said] All these
things
are against me. Gen. xlii. 36.
Which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these
things
. Matt. xxi. 24.
4.
A portion or part; something.
Wicked men who understand any
thing
of wisdom. Tillotson.
5.
A diminutive or slighted object; any object viewed as merely existing; – often used in pity or contempt.
See, sons, what
things
you are! Shakespeare
The poor
thing
sighed, and . . . turned from me. Addison.
I’ll be this abject
thing
no more. Granville.
I have a
thing
in prose. Swift.
6.
pl.
Clothes; furniture; appurtenances; luggage;
as, to pack or store one's
. things
[Colloq.]
☞ Formerly, the singular was sometimes used in a plural or collective sense.
And them she gave her moebles and her
thing
. Chaucer.
☞ Thing was used in a very general sense in Old English, and is still heard colloquially where some more definite term would be used in careful composition.
In the garden [he] walketh to and fro,
And hath his
And hath his
things
[i. e., prayers, devotions] said full courteously. Chaucer.
Hearkening his minstrels their
things
play. Chaucer.
7.
(Law)
Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; – distinguished from person.
Webster 1828 Edition
Thing
THING
,Noun.
1.
An event or action; that which happens or falls out, or that which is done, told or proposed. This is the general signification of the word in the Scriptures; as after these things, that is, events. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son. Gen.21.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, the thing proceedeth from the Lord. Gen.24.
And Jacob said, all these things are against me. Gen.42.
I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Matt.21.
These things said Esaias when he saw his glory. John 12.
In learning French, choose such books as will teach you things as well as language.
2.
Any substance; that which is created; any particular article or commodity. He sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt-- Gen.42.
They took the things which Micah had made. Judges 18.
3.
An animal; as every living thing; every creeping thing. Gen.1.[This application of the word is improper, but common in popular and vulgar language.]
4.
A portion or part; something. Wicked men who understand any thing of wisdom--
5.
In contempt. I have a thing in prose.
6.
Used of persons in contempt. See, sons, what things you are,
The poor thing sigh'd.
I'll be this abject thing no more.
7.
Used in a sense of honor. I see thee here,
Thou noble thing!