DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Thing n.
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! --Shak.
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.]
Note: ☞ Formerly, the singular was sometimes used in a plural or collective sense.
And them she gave her moebles and her thing. --Chaucer.
Note: ☞ 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 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.
8. In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly.
Things personal. Law Same as Personal property, under Personal.
Things real. Same as Real property, under Real.
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