Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NOTH'ING, n. [no and thing.]

1. Not any thing; not any being or existence; a word that denies the existence of anything; non-entity; opposed to something. The world was created from nothing.
2. Non-existence; a state of annihilation. Shak.
3. Not any thing; not any particular thing, deed or event. Nothing was done to redeem our character. He thought nothing done while any thing remained to be done. A determination to choose nothing is a determination not to choose the truth. J. M. Mason.
4. No other thing. Nothing but this will entitle you to God's acceptance. Wake.
5. No part, portion, quantity or degree. The troops manifested nothing of irresolution in the attack. Yet had his aspect nothing of severe. Dryden.
6. No importance; no value; no use. Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of naught. Is. xli.
7. No possession of estate; a low condition. A man that from very nothing is grown to an unspeakable estate. Shak.
8. A thing of no proportion to something, or of trifling value or advantage. The charge of making the ground, and otherwise, is great, but nothing to the profit. Bacon.
9. A trifle; a thing of no consideration or importance. 'Tis nothing, says the fool; but, says the fiend, / This nothing, sir, will bring you to your end. Dryden. To make nothing of, to make no difficulty or to consider as trifling, light, or unimportant. We are industrious to preserve our bodies from slavery, but we make nothing of suffering our souls to be slaves to our lusts. Ray.