fit

fit

fit¹ [fit]

vt.

fitted or fit, fitting [ME fitten < ? or akin ? to ON fitja, to knit, tie ends of thread, akin to OHG fizza, skein of thread, ult. < IE * pedyo-, fetter, lit., of the foot < base * ped-, FOOT]

1. to be suitable or adapted to; be in accord with [let the punishment fit the crime]

2. to be the proper size, shape, etc. for

3.

a) to make or alter so as to fit

b) to measure (a person) for something that must be fitted [fit him for a brace]

4. to make suitable or qualified [his training fits him for the job]

5.

a) to insert, as into a receptacle [to fit a key in a lock]

b) to make a place for: with in or into [to fit another passenger into the crowded car]

6. to equip; outfit: often with out

vi.

1. Archaic to be suitable or proper

2. to be suitably adapted; be in accord or harmony: often with in or into

3. to have the proper size or shape for a particular figure, space, etc. [his coat fits well; this won't fit into the box]

adj.

fitter, fittest [ME fyt]

1. adapted, adjusted, qualified, or suited to some purpose, function, situation, etc. [food fit to eat]

2. proper; right; appropriate

3. in good physical condition; healthy

4. Informal disturbed enough; inclined [she was fit to scream]

n.

[prob. < the v.]

1. the condition of fitting or being fitted

2. the manner or degree of fitting or of fitting together [a good fit, a tight fit]

3. anything that fits

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☆ fit to be tied

Informal frustrated and angry

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fit to kill Informal

1. excessively; immoderately

2. strikingly or showily [dressed fit to kill]

SYN.- FIT¹, the broadest term here, means having the qualities or qualifications to meet some condition, circumstance, purpose, or demand [fit for a king ]; SUITABLE is applied to that which accords with the requirements or needs of the occasion or circumstances [shoes suitable for hiking ]; PROPER implies reference to that which naturally or rightfully belongs to something or suggests a fitness or suitability dictated by good judgment [proper respect for one's elders ]; that is APPROPRIATE which is especially or distinctively fit or suitable; FITTING is applied to that which accords harmoniously with the character, spirit, or tone of something; APT¹, in this connection, is used of that which is exactly suited to the purpose [an apt phrase ]

☆ fit² [fit]

n.

[ME < OE (rare) fitt, conflict]

1. any sudden, uncontrollable attack; paroxysm [a fit of coughing]

2.

a) a sharp, brief display of feeling [a fit of anger]

b) a transient mood [a fit of the blues]

3. a temporary burst of activity

4. Med. a seizure in which the victim loses consciousness, has convulsions, etc.

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by fits and starts or by fits

in an irregular way; in bursts of activity followed by periods of inactivity

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have a fit

Informal to become very angry or upset: also ☆ throw a fit

fit³ [fit]

n.

[ME fitte < OE fitt, akin to OS (Latinized) pl. vitteas, sections of a poem (the Heliand), OHG fizza: see FIT¹]

Obs. a section of a poem, ballad, or song