Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Fit

Fit

(fĭt)
,
imp.
&
p.
p.
of
Fight
.
[Obs. or Colloq.]

Fit

,
Noun.
[AS.
fitt
a song.]
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
[Written also
fitte
,
fytte
, etc.]
To play some pleasant
fit
.
Spenser.

Fit

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Fitter
(fĭt′tẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Fittest
(fĭt′tĕst)
.]
[OE.
fit
,
fyt
; cf. E.
feat
neat, elegant, well made, or icel.
fitja
to web, knit, OD.
vitten
to suit, square, Goth.
fētjan
to adorn. √77.]
1.
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualities, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are
fit
for, I am qualified in.
Shakespeare
Fit
audience find, though few.
Milton.
2.
Prepared; ready.
[Obs.]
So
fit
to shoot, she singled forth among
her foes who first her quarry’s strength should feel.
Fairfax.
3.
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Syn. – Suitable; proper; appropriate; meet; becoming; expedient; congruous; correspondent; apposite; apt; adapted; prepared; qualified; competent; adequate.

Fit

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Fitted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Fitting
.]
1.
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
The time is
fitted
for the duty.
Burke.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly
fitted
by nature.
Macaulay.
2.
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; – said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he
fitteth
it with planes.
Is. xliv. 13.
3.
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so
fit
his customers with gloves.
Shakespeare
4.
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to;
as, if the coat
fits
you, put it on
.
That's a bountiful answer that
fits
all questions.
Shakespeare
That time best
fits
the work.
Shakespeare
To fit out
,
to supply with necessaries or means; to furnish; to equip; as, to fit out a privateer.
–
To fit up
,
to furnish with things suitable; to make proper for the reception or use of any person; to prepare; as, to fit up a room for a guest.

Fit

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To be proper or becoming.
Nor
fits
it to prolong the feast.
Pope.
2.
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted;
as, his coat
fits
very well
.

Fit

,
Noun.
1.
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
2.
(Mach.)
(a)
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
(b)
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Fit rod
(Shipbuilding)
,
a gauge rod used to try the depth of a bolt hole in order to determine the length of the bolt required.
Knight.

Fit

,
Noun.
[AS.
fit
strife, fight; of uncertain origin. √ 77.]
1.
A stroke or blow.
[Obs. or R.]
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,
That keeps thy body from the bitter
fit
.
Spenser.
2.
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease;
as, a
fit
of sickness
.
And when the
fit
was on him, I did mark
How he did shake.
Shakespeare
3.
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm;
as, a
fit
of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter
.
All
fits
of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
Swift.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to
fits
of jealously.
Macaulay.
4.
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The
fits
of the season.
Shakespeare
5.
A darting point; a sudden emission.
[R.]
A tongue of light, a
fit
of flame.
Coleridge.
By fits
,
By fits and starts
,
by intervals of action and repose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.

Webster 1828 Edition

Fit

FIT

,
Noun.
[L. peto, impeto, to assult, or to Eng. pet, and primarily to denote a rushing on or attach, or a start. See fit, suitable.]
1.
The invasion, exacerbation or paroxysm of a disease. We apply the word to the return of an ague, after intermission, as a cold fit. We apply it to the first attack, or to the return of other diseases, as a fit of the gout or stone; and in general, to a disease however continued, as a fit of sickness.
2.
A sudden and violent attack of disorder, in which the body is often convulsed, and sometimes senseless; as a fit of apoplexy or epilepsy; hysteric fits.
3.
Any short return after intermission; a turn; a period or interval. He moves by fits and starts.
By fits my swelling grief appears.
4.
A temporary affection or attack; as a fit of melancholy, or of grief; a fit of pleasure.
5.
Disorder; distemperature.
6.
Anciently, a song, or part of a song; a strain; a canto.

FIT

,
Adj.
[This is from the root of Eng. pass; pat. In L. competo, whence compatible, signifies properly to meet or to fall on, hence to suit or be fit, from peto. This is probably the same word. The primary sense is to come to, to fall on, hence to meet, to extend to, to be close, to suit. To come or fall, is the primary sense of time or season.]
1.
Suitable; convenient; meet; becoming.
Is it fit to say to a king, thou art wicked? Job 34.
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Col. 3.
2.
Qualified; as men of valor fit for war.
No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9.

FIT

, v.t.
1.
To adapt; to suit; to make suitable.
The carpenter - marketh it out like a line, he fitteth it with planes. Is. 44.
2.
To accommodate a person with any thing; as, the tailor fits his customer with a coat. The original phrase is, he fits a coat to his customer. But the phrase implies also furnishing, providing a thing suitable for another.
3.
To prepare; to put in order for; to furnish with things proper or necessary; as, to fit a ship for a long voyage. Fit yourself for action or defense.
4.
To qualify; to prepare; as, to fit a student for college.
To fit out, to furnish; to equip; to supply with necessaries or means; as, to fit out a privateer.
To fit up, to prepare; to furnish with things suitable; to make proper for the reception or use of any person; as, to fit up a house for a guest.

FIT

, v.i.
1.
To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
2.
To suit or be suitable; to be adapted. His coat fits very well. But this is an elliptical phrase.

Definition 2024

fit

fit

See also: FiT, FIT, and fît

English

Adjective

fit ‎(comparative fitter, superlative fittest)

  1. Suitable, proper.
    You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit.
    • Bible, Job xxxiv. 18
      Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
    • 2005, Lesley Brown, Sophist, translation of original by Plato:
      The rest we'll leave to be examined later, if we think fit;
  2. Adapted to a purpose or environment.
    survival of the fittest
    • Shakespeare
      That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
  3. In good shape; physically well.
    You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
  4. (Britain, slang) Good looking, fanciable, attractive, beautiful.
    I think the girl working in the office is fit.
    • 2004, Mike Skinner (lyrics), “Fit But You Know It”, in A Grand Don't Come for Free, performed by The Streets:
      I think you are really fit / You're fit but my gosh don't you know it.
    • 2007, Kate Nash, Paul Eppworth (lyrics), “Foundations”, in Made of Bricks, performed by Kate Nash:
      I said I'd rather be with your friends, mate, cos they are much fitter.
  5. Prepared; ready.
    • Fairfax
      So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

From the adjective fit ‎(“suitable”).

Verb

fit ‎(third-person singular simple present fits, present participle fitting, simple past and past participle fitted or fit)

  1. (transitive) To be suitable for.
    It fits the purpose.
    • 1918, Richard Dennis Teall Hollister, Speech-making, publ. George Wahr, pg. 81:
      The speaker should be certain that his subject fits the occasion.
  2. (transitive) To conform to in size and shape.
    The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
    If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
  3. (intransitive) To be of the right size and shape
    I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit.
    This plug doesn't fit into the socket.
  4. (transitive, with to) To make conform in size and shape.
    I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
    1. (transitive) To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
      I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
  5. (transitive) To be in agreement with.
    These definitions fit most of the usage.
  6. (transitive) To adjust.
    The regression program fit a line to the data.
  7. (transitive) To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
    • 2012 May 13, Andrew Benson, “Williams's Pastor Maldonado takes landmark Spanish Grand Prix win”, in BBC Sport:
      Williams had a problem fitting his left rear tyre and that left Alonso only 3.1secs adrift when he rejoined from his final stop three laps later.
  8. (transitive) To equip or supply.
    The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
  9. (transitive) To make ready.
    I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
  10. (intransitive, archaic) To be seemly.
  11. To be proper or becoming.
    • Alexander Pope
      Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
  12. (intransitive) To be in harmony.
    The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit.
Derived terms
Translations

Noun

fit ‎(plural fits)

  1. The degree to which something fits.
    This shirt is a bad fit.
    Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit.
  2. Conformity of elements one to another.
    It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
  3. The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
  4. (advertising) how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
    The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
  5. (statistics) goodness of fit.
Usage notes

Usually used in the singular preceded by an indefinite article and an adjective.

Translations

References

  • (advertising): The Advertising Research Handbook Charles E. Young, Ideas in Flight, Seattle, WA, April 2005

Etymology 3

Unknown, possibly from Old English fitt ‎(“song”), or, from the sense of fitted to length.

Noun

fit ‎(plural fits)

  1. (archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.

References

  • Oxford English Dictionary: fit, fyte n. 1

Etymology 4

Unknown, possibly from Old English fitt ‎(“conflict”).

Noun

fit ‎(plural fits)

  1. A seizure or convulsion.
    My grandfather died after having a fit.
  2. (medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
  3. A sudden outburst of emotion.
    He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
    She had a fit and had thrown all of his clothes out of the window.
    He threw a fit when his car broke down.
  4. A sudden burst (of an activity).
    • 2007 July 9, Ryan J. Foley, “Wisconsin city^s largest employer threatens to leave over ethanol”, in Associated Press:
      A fit of spring-cleaning led Eric Brooks to a box of old newspaper clips from 1997.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

Verb

fit ‎(third-person singular simple present fits, present participle fitting, simple past and past participle fitted)

  1. (intransitive, medicine) To suffer a fit.
    • 2016, 18 May, Three dogs die and seven more ill after drinking from the same Kent lake amid contamination fears (in The Telegraph)
      A spokesman said: "It is believed they (the dogs) got into the lake and drank from it. They came out and started fitting. Shortly after that three of them died and vets are attempting to resuscitate the other one."

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: spot · wonderful · shook · #944: fit · distribute · ordinary · forms

Catalan

Adjective

fit m ‎(feminine fita, masculine plural fits, feminine plural fites)

  1. fixed (of eyes, regard, etc.)

Noun

fit m ‎(plural fits)

  1. target

Czech

Adjective

fit

  1. fit, healthy

Usage notes

  • This adjective is indeclinable.

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ɪt

Adjective

fit ‎(comparative fitter, superlative fitst)

  1. fit (in good shape)

Inflection

Inflection of fit
uninflected fit
inflected fitte
comparative fitter
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial fit fitter het fitst
het fitste
indefinite m./f. sing. fitte fittere fitste
n. sing. fit fitter fitste
plural fitte fittere fitste
definite fitte fittere fitste
partitive fits fitters —

French

Verb

fit

  1. third-person singular past historic of faire

German

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ɪt

Adjective

fit ‎(comparative fitter, superlative am fittesten)

  1. fit (in good shape)

Declension

Comparative forms of fit
number & gender singular plural
masculine feminine neuter all genders
predicative er ist fitter sie ist fitter es ist fitter sie sind fitter
strong declension
(without article)		 nominative fitterer fittere fitteres fittere
genitive fitteren fitterer fitteren fitterer
dative fitterem fitterer fitterem fitteren
accusative fitteren fittere fitteres fittere
weak declension
(with definite article)		 nominative der fittere die fittere das fittere die fitteren
genitive des fitteren der fitteren des fitteren der fitteren
dative dem fitteren der fitteren dem fitteren den fitteren
accusative den fitteren die fittere das fittere die fitteren
mixed declension
(with indefinite article)		 nominative ein fitterer eine fittere ein fitteres (keine) fitteren
genitive eines fitteren einer fitteren eines fitteren (keiner) fitteren
dative einem fitteren einer fitteren einem fitteren (keinen) fitteren
accusative einen fitteren eine fittere ein fitteres (keine) fitteren

Icelandic

An example of interdigital webbing on a frog.
A casting on.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fɪːt/
  • Rhymes: -ɪːt

Noun

fit f ‎(genitive singular fitjar, nominative plural fitjar)

  1. (zoology) web, interdigital webbing, a membrane that connects the digits of an animal
  2. (knitting) a casting on, casting on

Declension

Related terms

  • breiðafit
  • fitja
  • fuglafit
  • fuglsfit
  • gullfit
  • hundafit
  • lykkjufit
  • Halldórufit
  • silfurfit
  • skollafit
  • sundfit

External links


Latin

Verb

fit

  1. third-person singular present passive indicative of faciō
  2. third-person singular present active indicative of fiō

Lojban

Rafsi

fit

  1. rafsi of friti.

Luxembourgish

Etymology

Borrowing from English fit.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fit/
  • Rhymes: -it

Adjective

fit ‎(masculine fitten, neuter fit, comparative méi fit, superlative am fitsten)

  1. fit (in good shape)

Scots

Noun

fit ‎(plural fits)

  1. foot
  2. lower end (of a street, river, field etc)
  3. what (Doric)

Derived terms

Verb

fit ‎(third-person singular present fits, present participle fitin, past fitt, past participle fitt)

  1. to foot

Volapük

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [fit]

Noun

fit ‎(plural fits)

  1. (male or female) fish (cold-blooded vertebrate)

Declension

Derived terms

See also

Etymology

Possibly from the Middle English fit ‎(“an adversary of equal power”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fɪt/
  • Rhymes: -ɪt

Similar Results