pre-noun adjectival
only; no more than; a matter of
Pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) used to emphasize that something is merely or only what follows. Often implies a small amount, short time, or trivial nature.
物の数分で終わる作業だ。
It's a task that takes only a few minutes.
物のついでに買ってきて。
Pick it up for me while you're at it (it's just a small errand).
evil spirit; vengeful ghost; specter
tools; implements · imperial court dress · arms; armor
the principle of the thing; the way things work; the natural order of things
Derived from the noun 物 (もの, 'thing') + the possessive particle の, literally 'of a thing'. The meaning shifted to 'a mere thing' and then to the pre-noun adjectival use.