thing
UK: θɪŋ | US: θɪŋ
n. an object, item, or concept that is not specifically named
n. an event, activity, or situation
n. (informal) used to refer to a person or animal, often affectionately or dismissively
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The word "thing" originates from Old English þing, meaning "assembly, meeting, or matter." It evolved from Proto-Germanic *thingą*, which referred to a gathering or judicial assembly (e.g., the Viking "Althing"). Over time, its meaning broadened to denote any object or matter discussed in such assemblies, eventually generalizing to its modern sense of an unspecified item or concept. The word's simplicity and Germanic roots make it non-splittable into smaller morphemes in English.
She handed me a small, shiny thing wrapped in paper.
The strangest thing happened on my way home.
He’s good at fixing things around the house.
"That cat is such a cute little thing!" she said.
The most important thing is to stay calm.