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fit¹

(fĭt)

v. fit·ted or fit, fit·ted, fit·ting, fits

v.tr.

a. To be the proper size and shape for: These shoes fit me.

b. To cause to be the proper size and shape: The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them.

c. To measure for proper size: She fitted me for a new jacket.

2. To be appropriate to; suit: music that fits your mood.

3. To be in conformity or agreement with: observations that fit the theory nicely.

4. To make suitable; adapt: fitted the shelves for large books. See Synonyms at adapt.

5. To make ready; prepare: Specialized training fitted her for the job.

6. To equip; outfit: fit out a ship.

7. To provide a place or time for: You can't fit any more toys in the box. The doctor can fit you in today.

8. To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place: fit a handle on a door.

v.intr.

1. To be the proper size and shape.

2. To be suited; belong: doesn't fit in with these people.

3. To be in harmony; agree: His good mood fit in with the joyful occasion.

adj. fit·ter, fit·test

1. Suited, adapted, or acceptable for a given circumstance or purpose: not a fit time for flippancy.

2. Appropriate; proper: Do as you see fit.

3. Physically sound; healthy: keeps fit with diet and exercise.

4. Biology Able to survive and produce viable offspring in a particular environment

1. The state, quality, or way of being fitted: the proper fit of means to ends.

2. The manner in which clothing fits: a jacket with a tight fit.

3. The degree of precision with which surfaces are adjusted or adapted to each other in a machine or collection of parts.

Idioms:

fit to be tied

Roused to great anger or indignation; outraged.

fit to kill Slang

To an extreme or elaborate degree: dressed up fit to kill.

[Middle English fitten, to be suitable, marshal troops.]

fitly adv.

fitter n.

fit²

(fĭt)

1. Medicine

a. A seizure or convulsion, especially one caused by epilepsy.

b. A sudden physical outburst: a fit of coughing; a fit of laughter.

c. A sudden, involuntary physical reaction: a fit of shivering; a fit of cramps.

d. A sudden, involuntary mental experience: a fit of amnesia; a fit of déjà vu.

2. A sudden outburst of emotion: a fit of jealousy.

3. A sudden period of vigorous activity.

Idiom:

by (or in)fits and starts

With irregular intervals of action and inaction; intermittently.

[Middle English, hardship, probably from Old English fitt, struggle.]

fit³

(fĭt)

n.
Archaic

A section of a poem or ballad.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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