əˈfɛɹ əˈfɛə ˈmætə ˈmætɚ θɪŋ a separate and self-contained entity an action how could you do such a thing? an artifact how does this thing work? an entity that is not named specifically I couldn't tell what the thing was any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence the thing I like about her is … a vaguely specified concern several matters to attend to it is none of your affair things are going well a special abstraction a thing of the spirit things of the heart a special objective the thing is to stay in bounds a statement regarded as an object to say the same thing in other terms how can you say such a thing? an event a funny thing happened on the way to the … a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion he has a thing about seafood she has a thing about him a special situation this thing has got to end it is a remarkable thing