ppl. a.

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  1.  Firmly conjoined or compacted; closely linked or connected.

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1445.  trans. Claudian, 43, in Anglia, XXVIII. 26. Ner for noise of litel offence [Fidelity] diseoluyth not knottis wele knytte.

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1635–56.  Cowley, Davideis, I. 380. His spirit contains The well-knit Mass.

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1708.  J. Philips, Cyder, II. 458. Anger-kindling Taunt, the certain Bane Of well-knit Fellowship.

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1871.  Tylor, Prim. Cult., II. xiv. 122. Declaring the will and answers of the gods … in well-knit harangues.

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  2.  Of a person, his frame: Strongly and compactly built, not loose-jointed.

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1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., I. ii. 77. O well-knit Sampson, strong ioynted Sampson.

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1674.  Cotton, trans. B. de Montluc’s Comm., 179. He was … strong and well knit.

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1726.  Pope, Odyss., XVIII. 259. Thy well-knit frame.

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1861.  Dickens, Gt. Expect., iv. Joe was a well-knit, characteristic-looking blacksmith.

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1890.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, xv. The square form and well-knit figure of an ordinary English aristocrat.

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  fig.  1867.  M. Arnold, Immortality, 13. His soul well-knit, and all his battles won.

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