I. ˈchit, usu -id.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chitte kitten, cub, perhaps alteration (influenced by such pairs as church: kirk ) of kit, short for kitling
1. obsolete : the offspring of an animal (as a cub or whelp) : kit
2.
a. : child
b. : a person likened to a child ; especially : a pert or forward young woman
has no use for young chits of girls — Christopher Isherwood
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of Middle English chithe sprout, from Old English cīth; akin to Old Saxon kīth bud, young shoot, Old High German -kīdi shoot — more at chine
1. chits plural , obsolete : rice of second or third grade
2. : shoot , sprout
III. verb
( chitted ; chitted ; chitting ; chits )
intransitive verb
dialect England : germinate , sprout
after a period of about 48 hours, the grain begins to chit — Norman Wymer
transitive verb
: to remove chits from (as potatoes)
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: short for chitty from Hindi ciṭṭhī
1. : a short letter or note : a written message : memorandum
a chit written by the president specifically to be read to them — Time
especially : a certificate of recommendation (as one given to a servant)
2.
a. : a signed voucher or memorandum of a small debt (as for food or drinks)
seldom carries money; signing a chit is so much easier — Nancy B. Shea
b. : check , draft , order , bill , receipt
put in a chit for ninety cents' fare — McKenzie Porter
23 percent of your bill is added automatically to the chit as the tip — Tad Szulc
broadly : a small slip of paper with writing on it