I. ˈfit noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fitt; akin to Old Saxon fittea division of a poem, Old High German fizza skein
Date: before 12th century
archaic : a division of a poem or song
II. adjective
( fit·ter ; fit·test )
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle English fitten
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art
(2) : adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
b. : acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
2.
a. : put into a suitable state : made ready
get the house fit for company
b. : being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something
fair fit to cry I was — Bryan MacMahon
laughing fit to burst
3. : sound physically and mentally : healthy
• fit·ly adverb
•
- fit to be tied
- fit to kill
Synonyms:
fit , suitable , meet , proper , appropriate , fitting , apt , happy , felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action
fit for battle
suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands
clothes suitable for camping
meet suggests a just proportioning
meet payment
proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom
proper acknowledgement
appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness
an appropriate gift
fitting implies harmony of mood or tone
a fitting end
apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination
apt quotations
happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate
a happy choice of words
felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful
a felicitous phrase
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fitt strife
Date: circa 1541
1.
a. : a sudden violent attack of a disease (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
b. : a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance
2. : a sudden burst or flurry (as of activity)
cleaned the whole house in a fit of efficiency
3. : an emotional reaction (as in anger or frustration)
has a fit when I show up late
•
- by fits
IV. verb
( fit·ted or fit ; fit·ting )
Etymology: Middle English fitten to marshal troops, from or akin to Middle Dutch vitten to be suitable
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to be suitable for or to : harmonize with
b. archaic : to be seemly or proper for
it fit s us then to be as provident as fear may teach us — Shakespeare
2.
a. : to conform correctly to the shape or size of
it doesn't fit me anymore
b.
(1) : to insert or adjust until correctly in place
fit the mechanism into the box
(2) : to make or adjust to the right shape and size
fitting the jacket to the customer
(3) : to measure for determining the specifications of something to be worn by
fitted him for a new suit
c. : to make a place or room for : accommodate
3. : to be in agreement or accord with
the theory fit s all the facts
4.
a. : to put into a condition of readiness
b. : to cause to conform to or suit something
5. : supply , equip
fitted the ship with new engines
— often used with out
6. : to adjust (a smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to be seemly, proper, or suitable
2. : to conform to a particular shape or size ; also : to be accommodated
will we all fit into the car?
3. : to be in harmony or accord : belong — often used with in
• fit·ter noun
V. noun
Date: 1823
: the fact, condition, or manner of fitting or being fitted: as
a. : the way clothing fits the wearer
b. : the degree of closeness between surfaces in an assembly of parts
c. : goodness of fit
VI.
dialect past and past participle of fight