2. An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material. Ye meads and groves, unsonscious 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. Wieked 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.
Defn: 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)
Defn: Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; — distinguished from person.