Fit v.¹

Forms: 5 fitte, 7 fitt, fyt(t, 6– fit. [Sense 1, found only in the Morte Arthur, c. 1400, is of uncertain etymology, but may possibly be f. FIT sb.³ Apart from this use, the word first appears late in 16th c. when it was presumably a new formation on FIT a. The coincidence of form and meaning with the 16–17th c. Du. and Flemish vitten to suit, agree, adapt, is remarkable, but most probably the two words have developed their identical sense independently by different processes, though they may be from the same ultimate root.

  In mod. editions of 15th c. works, the words sit, besit (= to be becoming), sitting (= becoming) are often misprinted fit, befit, fitting; the latter do not appear to be older than the Elizabethan period, but when once introduced they rapidly superseded the older synonyms; probably owing to their obvious connexion with FIT a., they were felt to express the meaning more forcibly.]

  † I.  1. trans. To array, marshal (soldiers). Obs.

  Only in the Morte Arthur.

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 1755. Thus he fittez his folke. Ibid., 1989.

  II.  To be fit, becoming, or suitable (to).

  † 2.  intr. To be fit, seemly, proper, or suitable. Chiefly impers. or quasi-impers. Obs. or arch.

  (The first examples given under the trans. sense 3 may belong here, as the obj.-pronoun is probably dative. Cf. similar use of sit.)

1574.  H. G., trans. Cataneo’s Most briefe Tables, A iij a. As to knowe, howe to determine vppon a sodayne, fitteth well to euerye one that hath anye doinges, and that in the handeling therof, hath therby gotten great honnour and commoditie.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 77.

1594.  Spenser, Amoretti, liv. 5.

1594.  First Pt. Contention (1843), 8. Whose church-like humours fits not for a Crowne.

1594.  Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits (1616), 130. This fitteth not to be remembred to the preachers of our time, nor to aduise them that now they may do it.

c. 1620.  Z. Boyd, Zion’s Flowers (1855), 5.

163a.  Milton, Penseroso, 77.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, 99. None will deny but that Greatnesse and Conveniency being conjoynt fits best.

1725.  Pope, Odyss., III. 83.

  † b.  To agree or harmonize with. Obs.

1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., III. i. 266. Why dost thou laugh? it fits not with this houre.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, III. ii. 76. He … Must make content with his Fortunes fit.

1594.  Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits (1616), 119. A name, which might fit well with a furious Gyant.

  3.  trans. Chiefly impers. or quasi-impers. To be suited or suitable to, be proper for; to be in harmony with, become, befit.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, II. x. 142 b. How euill fits it me to haue such a sonne, and how much doth thy kindnesse vpbraide my wickednesse?

1590.  Marlowe, Edw. II., III. ii.

1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 1613.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 1236. Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits.

1703.  Rowe, Ulyss., III. i. 1239.

1725.  Pope, Odyss., III. 57.

1806.  H. Siddons, Maid, Wife, & Widow, II. 239. What the contents of Middleton’s letter were it fitted me not to inquire; and, as the young lady chose not to inform me of her own accord, I suffered the subject still to remain a silent one.

1852.  Tennyson, Death Dk. Wellington, iii.

1866.  Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, I. i. 49. Her person was too typical of social distinctions to be passed by with indifference by any one; it would have fitted an empress in her own right, who had had to rule in spite of faction.

  † 4.  To be well adapted or suitable for; to answer or satisfy the requirements of; to answer, suit. Also, † To fit it, † To fit one’s turn: to serve one’s turn. Obs.

1571.  Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 179. Little Iohn came to Ireland, with many of his confederates, and found in the woods, enough to fit his humour, and fell so much to his old occupation, that he was faine to flye the land.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., II. i. 166. Trust me, I thought on her; shee’ll fit it.

1603.  Sir G. Fenton, in Lismore Papers, Ser. II. (1887), I. 74. A coursse which may ease you, and yet will fytt my turne.

1677.  Horneck, Gt. Law Consid., iv. (1704), 126. All Men will not be dragg’d or seduc’d into Hell the same way; and a temptation which will fit one, will not fit another.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 197. Of these Rowlers they have several, and Bits of different sizes fitted into them, that upon all occasions they may chuse one to fit their purpose.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. iv. There is a piece of cold buttock and carrot, which will fit you.

  5.  To be of the right measure or proper shape and size for; to be correctly shaped or adjusted to. Said esp. of dress; also fig. Often absol. The cap fits: see CAP sb.¹ 9. To fit to a T: see T.

1581.  Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., II. (1586), 51 b. It is not so easie to finde one manner of entertainement common to all men, as it is to finde a fashion for a Sadle to fit any Horse.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. ii. 46. Euerie true mans apparrell fits your Theefe.

a. 1691.  Boyle, Firmness, Wks. 1744, I. 278. As much of the stone, as was contiguous to the marchasite … fitted the marchasite so close as if [etc.].

1795.  Burns, Song, Last May, a braw wooer. And how her new shoon fit her auld schachl’t feet.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxiv. Let me undo the clasps of that ill-omened armour, and do thou put on that of Tormot; it is light, and will fit thee well.

1842.  Tennyson, Walking to the Mail, 57.

1846.  Greener, Sc. Gunnery, 207. On the quantity of powder described in the fore going scale, is put a leaden ball to fit the bore.

1849.  C. Brontë, Shirley, I. iii. 48–9. You cannot always cut out men to fit their profession, and that you ought not to curse them because that profession sometimes hangs on them ungracefully.

1863.  W. C. Baldwin, African Hunting, vi. 152. The only utensil we could hit upon that was big enough to cook him [a large crested bustard] in was a soap-boiler, which he just fitted.

1885.  J. de Griez, in Law Times, LXXX. 26 Dec., 138/2. A Vienna tailor, sued the defendant for payment of a suit of clothes, which the latter had ordered, but refused to accept, on the ground that the clothes did not fit him.

Mod.  Your description fits him to a T.

  absol.  1782.  Cowper, Gilpin, xlvii.

1889.  Bridges, Feast of Bacchus, III. 47.

  b.  intr. To be of such size and shape as to fill exactly a given space, or conform properly to the contour of its receptacle or counterpart; to be adjusted or adjustable to a certain position. Often with in (adv. and prep.), into, in with.

1694.  Acc. Sev. Late Voy., II. (1711), 142. On the upper Lip is a cavity or hole which the lower [printed upper] Lip fits exactly into, as a Knife into a Sheath.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 283. Then your Wainscot will fit exactly between any two lines of the Arch.

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. App. 644. A statement which curiously fits in with our story.

1891.  Speaker, IV. 11 July, 36–7. The clever contrivances or complicated mechanism invented in the library would not fit into modern life, and the representation of minorities is a lost cause, as dead as that of the Bourbons or the Buonapartists.

Mod.  This peg fits into this hole.

  III.  trans. To make fit.

  6.  To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the object in view; to make ready, prepare; † rarely with up. Const. for, to with sb. or inf.: otherwise dial. only.

1600.  Hakluyt, Voy., III. 200. We had then time to view our prize, which we found of great defence, and a notable strong ship, almost two hundred tun in burden, very well appointed, and in all things fitted for a man of warre.

1611.  Bible, Rom. ix. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, & to make his power knowen, indured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.

1628.  Digby, Voy. Medit. (1868), 5. In like manner wee fitted our seleues for fight, which wee had no sooner done but shee made all the saile shee could to gett from vs.

1634.  Earl Cork, Diary, in Lismore Papers, Ser. I. (1886), IV. 43–4. I rodd with my daughter of Kildare to Maynooth, to fyt the howse against her removall thither.

1670.  Narborough, Jrnl., in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 28. I judged this a very fit Harbour to fit the Ship in, for the main Mast must be unrig’d, and a new gang of shrouds fitted, and Ballast be had.

1674.  trans. Scheffer’s Lapland, 66. The tribute they pay at this time is either mony, Rain-deers, or skins, either plain or fitted up for use.

1677.  Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 53. There is much in preparing and fitting of the Flax, so as to make it run to a fine Thread.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 74. Before you come of use your Planes, you must know how to grind, and whet them, for they are not so fitted when they are bought, but every Workman accomodates them to this purpose.

1715–20.  Pope, Iliad, II. 186.

1737.  H. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756) I. 33. This, I say, makes what I term Revulsion; as also better fits the Glands to perform their Office of Secretion.

1784.  Cowper, Task, I. 374.

1877.  Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., i. 1. The action of time may fit Rome—once the mistress, and still accustomed to feel herself in one sense the capital, of the world—for becoming the capital of Italy; but it is scarcely possible to conceive a combination of circumstances which could have detached Florence from her grandiose and austere personality and made of her a national centre.

1880.  W. Cornw. Gloss., s.v. ‘When shall I fit the dennar?’

  b.  To render (a person) competent or qualified. Const. as above.

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. i. § 1. If the course of politic affairs cannot in any good course go forward without fit instruments, and that which fitteth them be their virtues, let polity acknowledge itself indebted to religion, godliness being the chiefest top and well-spring of all true virtues, even as God is of all good things.

1647.  Trapp, Comment. on Epist., 681. Common grace may come to nothing, whether it be such as fits a man for some particular calling only.

1671.  Milton, P. R., I. 70.

1720.  Ozell, trans. Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. ix. 48. He [Cauis Gracchus] had thus voluntarily banish’d himself from the Conversation of the World, only to fit himself to shine in it more conspicuously, and to revenge the Death of his Brother.

1820.  W. Irving, Sketch Bk., I. 174. With this combination of manly and delicate accomplishments, fitting him to shine both in active and elegant life, and calculated to give him an intense relish for joyous existence, it must have been a severe trial, in an age of bustle and chivalry, to pass the springtime of his years in monotonous captivity.

1888.  Bryce, Amer. Commw., III. lxxx. 54. The instruction received in the common schools and from the newspapers, and supposed to be developed by the practice of primaries and conventions, while it makes the voter deem himself capable of governing, does not completely fit him to weigh the real merits of statesmen, to discern the true grounds on which questions ought to be decided, to note the drift of events and discover the direction in which parties are being carried.

  absol. (U.S. only.)

1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. Jan., 426–7. There are schools that fit for Harvard. There are those that fit for Yale, or Princeton, or Cornell, or Columbia.

  7.  To fashion, modify, or arrange so as to conform or correspond to something else. Const. to, formerly also † into, † for.

1580.  Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 473. Be in thy behauiour modest, termperate, sober, for as thou framest thy manners, so wil thy wife fit hers.

1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., I. i. 117.

1615.  R. Bruch, trans. Gerhard’s Soule’s Watch, title-page. Heavenly Meditations, with other Godly Prayers, fitted to all the Dayes in the Weeke, for Morning, Noone and Night.

c. 1645.  Howell, Lett., IV. xiv. 19. I return you here inclos’d the Sonnet, your Grace pleas’d to send me lately, rendred into Spanish, and fitted for the same Ayr it had in English, both for cadence, and number of feet.

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl. (1845), 36. By this difficult exercise of his Inventive facutly, he may by degrees so improve it, and, after a while, attain to so pliant a Style, that scarce any Thought will puzzle him to fit words to it.

1718.  (title) A Book of Psalms in Blank Verse fitted into the tunes commonly used.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., lxxv. 5.

1855.  H. Reed, Lect. Eng. Lit., i. (1878), 36. We must not be unmindful how exquisitely the individual man and the external world are fitted to each other.

1877.  Huxley, Amer. Addr., i. 29. I have no reason to suppose that she [Nature] is bound to fit herself to our notions.

  8.  To fix, apply, adjust, or insert (something) so that it fills exactly the required place, or conforms to the contour of its receptacle or counterpart. Const. in, into, on, to, upon; also with in adv.

1611.  Bible, 1 Kings vi. 35. And he carued thereon Cherubims, and palme trees, and open flowers: and couered them with gold, fitted vpon the carued worke.

1628.  Digby, Voy. Medit. (1868), 86. The Jonas (to whom wee continually fitted saile by reason of her leanesse [leakinesse?]).

1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 541.

1670.  Narborough, Jrnl., in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 30. I went ashore and filled fresh water, the rest of the seamen fitted Rigging.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 136. Having erected the Principal Post, and other Posts, and fitted in the Bressummers, Girders, Joysts, &c. upon the first Floor, they pin up all the Frame of the Carcass-work.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. 242 He had a Bow and Arrow, and was fitting it to shoot at me.

1796.  H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Studies of Nature (1799), I. 31. The tyrant of Sicily, who fitted the unhappy traveller to his bed of iron.

1867.  Smyth, Sailer’s Word-bk., Fit rigging, to cut or fit the standing and running rigging to the masts, etc.

1879.  Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 78/1. The practice of fitting them [water-tight bulkheads] has since become common, although the full advantages possibly derivable therefrom are not commonly obtained.

1883.  Knowledge, IV. 13 July, 30/1. A dressmaker would fit the belt best.

1885.  Law Times, LXXIX. 366/2. Hoods will also be fitted over the tops of the doors.

  fig.  1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 14, Laws, Introduction. The perfection of the Platonic dialogue consists in the accuracy with which the question and answer are fitted into one another, and the regularity with which the steps of the argument succeed one another.

  b.  To fit on: to try on (a garment, etc.) with the view of ascertaining whether it fits the person. (Also colloq. with the person as obj.) To fit the cap on: to take some allusion as applying to oneself.

1841.  Whittock, etc., Bk. Trades, 431. The foreman, who is usually the master in small concerns, it the cutter out to the measures taken from the persons of the customers; he is also the finisher, and waits upon the higher orders of the gentry when the suits are commanded to be fitted on, as well as when the orders are first received.

1841.  Tennyson, St. S. Stylites, 206.

1856.  Reade, Never too Late, xxiv. The truth is when a searching sermon is preached each sinner takes it to himself…. I am glad the prisoners fitted the cap on.

  † 9.  To appoint, determine, or settle as may be fitting. Obs.

16[?].  Beaum. & Fl., Laws Candy, I. i.

1621–31.  Laud, Seven Serm. (1847), 10. This time is in God to fit.

  † b.  Sc. To adjust or balance (an account); also, to examine, test, or audit (accounts). Obs.

1653.  Burgh Rec. Glasgow (Rec. Soc.), II. 269. To meit with Mr. George Young and to fitt and cleir ane compt with him.

  10.  Soap-making. To bring (a mass of fluid soap) into such a condition that it will separate into two strata, the upper purer than the lower.

1866.  Tomlinson, Cycl. Useful Arts, II. 539. The soap is fitted, i. e. the contents of the copper are fused in a weak lye or in water.

1885.  W. L. Carpenter, Manuf. Soap, vi. 173. The English practice is to fit rather ‘fine,’ competition among the various makers for purity and colour being excessive; while the Americans are usually content with a coarse fit.

1887.  Encycl. Brit., XXII. 204/1. It is impossible to ‘fit’ or in any way purify soft soap.

  IV.  11. To supply, furnish, or provide with what is fit, suitable, convenient, or necessary. ? Obs. when obj. is a person.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. vii. 42.

1627–77.  Feltham, Resolves, I. xxv. 44. Those [senses] which carry the most pleasing tasts, fit us with the largest reluctations.

1653.  Walton, Angler, 71. I wil fit him to morrow with a Trout for his breakfast.

1660.  Boyle, New Exp. Phys. Mech., Proem, 7. The last nam’d Person fitted me with a Pump.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 32. Having fitted yourself with a Hole in your Screw-plate.

1737.  H. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 61. They [Dealers] will pretend, one and all, that they can fit you to a Title with such a Horse.

1893.  Law Times Rep., LXVII. 251/1. A steamship of 1074 tons net, fitted with steam steering gear.

  b.  † refl. To fit oneself: to suit oneself, get suited. Also pass. To be fitted: to be suited, dial.

1667.  Pepys, Diary, 29 Jan. He himself hath employed her night and day ever since his first mention of the matter, to make part of her house ready for him, as he ordered, and promised she should stay till she had fitted herself.

1786.  Burns, To G. Hamilton, 14.

1877.  N. W. Linc. Gloss. ‘I ’m just fitted where I am.’

1881.  Lanc. Gloss., Fitted, suited, served.

  c.  To fit out: to supply with what is necessary; to equip, rig out. Obs. exc. Naut. or transf. from that use.

1670.  R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 63. A Dutch Ship of equal Dimensions, may be built and fitted out to Sea for half the terms an English Ship can.

1722.  De Foe, Plague (1754), 9. Innumerable Numbers of Men on Horseback, some alone, others with Servants, and generally speaking, all loaded with Baggage and fitted out for travelling, as any one might perceive by their Appearance.

1741.  Richardson, Pamela, I. xii. 21. O how I wish’d for my grey Russet again, and my poor honest Dress, with which you fitted me out.

1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 70/2. I saw Maha Rajah with my own eyes, order the house to be fitted out for him; and he lived there.

1824.  Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, I. 106/2. If they had, they would fit out a cutter and perhaps five-and-twenty marines.

1840.  Thirlwall, Greece, VII. 183. The Athenians, in addition to the galleys which they had before, fitted out others, so that in all they amounted to 170.

1893.  Stevenson, Catriona, 2. At a merchant’s in the Luckenbooths, I had myself fitted out: none too fine, for I had no idea to appear like a beggar on horseback; but comely and responsible, so that servants should respect me.

  d.  To fit up: to supply with necessary fittings, furniture, or stores.

1670.  R. Coke, Disc. Trade, II. 56. How the Dutch may and do fit up more Ships for Navigation, and cheaper than the English.

1728.  Pope, Lett. to Swift, 20 June. He has fitted up his farm.

1821.  Shelley, Epipsych., 515.

1859.  Jephson, Brittany, xv. 243. The kitchen was fitted up with large boilers and ovens, presided over by a clever chef.

  trans.

1869.  J. Martineau, Ess., II. 156. Their neighbouring skies are fitted up with moons, in whose phenomena we recognize the same laws of weight that here prevail.

  12.  To visit (a person) with a fit penalty; to punish. Obs. exc. Australian. Also dial. with out.

a. 1635.  Fletcher, Hum. Lieutenant, IV. i. If I do not fit ye, let me fry for ’t.

1685–8.  Roxb. Ball., VII. 470.

1782.  Miss Burney, Cecilia (1809), II. 229. With a look that implied—I’ll fit you for this!

1889.  Boldrewood, Robbery under Arms, i. (1890), 3. A sergeant of police was shot in our last scrimmage, and they must fit some one over that.

Mod.  (Derbyshire). I’ll fit you out for this.