n.
     - an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to. 
▸
(things)
 personal belongings or clothing.
 - an inanimate material object as distinct from a living being. 
▸a living creature or plant.
 ▸a person or animal in terms of one's feelings of pity, approval, etc.:
 you lucky thing!
 - an action, activity, concept, or thought. 
▸
(things)
 unspecified circumstances or matters.
 - 
(the thing)
 informal what is needed or required. 
▸what is socially acceptable or fashionable.
 - 
(one's thing)
 informal one's special interest or concern.
 
 
  Phrase
  
    - be hearing 
(or seeing)
 things
 imagine that one can hear (or see) something that is not in fact there.  - a close 
(or near)
 thing
 a narrow avoidance of something unpleasant.  - do one's own thing
 informal follow one's own inclinations regardless of others.  - have a thing about
 informal have a preoccupation or obsession with.  - there is only one thing for it
 there is only one possible course of action. 
   
  Etymology
  OE (also in the senses ‘meeting’ and ‘matter, concern’), of Gmc origin.