I. ˈau̇tˌfit, usu -id.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: out (III) + fit (after fit out )
1. : the act or process of fitting out or equipping (as for a voyage or expedition)
the outfit of the exploring party took several months
2.
a. : the tools, instruments, or materials comprising the equipment necessary for the practice of a trade or profession or for the carrying out of a particular project
a prospector's outfit
a dentist's outfit
a model plane outfit
a shoeshine outfit
b. : wearing apparel with accessories designed to be worn on a special occasion or in a particular situation or setting
an outfit for a bride
an outfit for graduation
an outfit for camp
c. : physical, mental, or moral endowments or requirements
this addition that the dentist has made to my outfit — O.W.Holmes†1935
perception is only part of our mental outfit — A.S.Eddington
3.
a. : a group of people traveling together
shared our campfire with a packhorse outfit — Joyce R. Muench
b.
(1) : a team of ranch hands
the whole outfit was commanded by a trail boss — R.A.Billington
(2) : ranch
almost all the big outfits use the stamp iron — S.E.Fletcher
a dude outfit with a landing field — American Guide Series: Oregon
4. : a group of people working together as a team: as
a. : a political party or group
a small but influential outfit that has the balance of power in the city
b. : a military unit (as a division, regiment, or company)
enlisted men in line outfits all over the world — Yank
a rear echelon outfit — Gene Baro
c. : a jazz band or combination
the three-piece troubadour outfit — P.E.Deutschman
this fifteen piece outfit — Metronome
d. : a Navaho social group based on family relationships that presents a united front toward outsiders
5. : an organization engaged in a particular industry or activity
a large manufacturing outfit
worked for a publishing outfit
the university employs more people than any other outfit in the city
Synonyms: see equipment
II. transitive verb
1. : to furnish with an outfit
outfitted expeditions to far-off places — American Guide Series: Michigan
2. : furnish , supply
outfitting every family with shoes — American Guide Series: Vermont
required … the judge to outfit him legally — Francis Hackett
intransitive verb
: to acquire an outfit
they outfitted for the long journey — American Guide Series: Texas
Synonyms: see furnish