[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That fits: a. Becoming, appropriate, proper, suitable. b. That conforms to the contour or size of something; now only with prefixed advbs. (often hyphened), as close(-ly)-, well-, ill-fitting.
Many examples in editions of 15th c. works are spurious, the reading of the MSS. being sitting, which was formerly used in the same sense. It is doubtful whether the reading of our first quot. is not similarly incorrect, as FIT v.1 has not otherwise been found so early.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., III. 486. Thre men war clad in fitand [coit-]armour.
1595. Shaks., John, V. vi. 19.
| News fitting to the night, | |
| Blacke, fearefull, comfortlesse, and horrible. |
1617. E. Owens, in Lismore Papers (1887), Ser. II. II. 113. Thus much I thought fytinge to acqueynt your Lordshipp.
1705. Stanhope, Paraphr., II. 355. And have nothing to do with the wickedness of the ignorant heathens, but use all fitting means of putting it to shame.
1825. Southey, Tale of Paraguay, III. 44.
| Strange was it in this wild and savage place, | |
| Which seem’d to be for beasts a fitting lair, | |
| Thus to behold a maid so gentle and so fair. |
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 20. Do you now give the king godly counsel, and such as is fitting a bishop should give.
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt (1868), 10. Her tight-fitting black dress was much worn.
1881. Rita, My Lady Coquette, xvii. ’Tis the fittingest name.
Hence Fittingly adv., in a fitting manner; Fittingness, the state of being fitting.
1641. Shute, Sarah & Hagar (1649), 106. Let us carry our selves fittingly, in regard of those glorious spirits that are still about us.
1653. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., I. vi. II. § 28 (1667), 182. He that sees all men almost to be Christians, because they are bid to be so, need not question the fittingness of Godfathers promising in behalf of the Children for whom they answer.
1863. Bates, Nat. Amazon, II. 95. Aveyros may be called the head-quarters of the fire-ant, which might he fittingly termed the scourge of this fine river.
1866. Argyll, Reign Law, vii. (ed. 4), 377. But Watt was not alone. Other minds were working at the same time whose labours were to match with a curious fittingness into his.
