Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SOME-THING, n. [some and thing.]

1. An indeterminate or unknown event. Something must have happened to prevent the arrival of our friends at the time fixed. I shall call a two o'clock, unless something should prevent. [See Thing.]
2. A substance or material thing, unknown, indeterminate or not specified. A machine stops because something obstructs its motion. There must be something to support a wall or an arch.
3. A part; a portion more or less. Something yet of doubt remains. – Milton. Still from his little he could something spare, / To feed the hungry and to clothe the bare. – Harte. Something of it arises from our infant state. – Watts.
4. A little; an indefinite quantity or degree. The man asked me a dollar, but I gave him something more.
5. Distance not great. It must be done to-night, and something from the palace. – Shak.
6. Something is used adverbially for in some degree; as, he was something discouraged; but the use is not elegant. – Temple.