chit
chit Lexical Profile
chit Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short official note, memorandum, or signed voucher, typically recording a small sum owed for food, drink, or services.
"The club members simply signed a chit at the end of the evening to charge the meal to their monthly account."
A young, small, or slender woman or girl, often used somewhat dismissively to imply immaturity or impudence.
"In the historical novel, the aging duke was astonished to be lectured on etiquette by a mere chit of a girl."
British The first young shoot or sprout emerging from a germinating seed or potato tuber.
"Handle the seed potatoes gently so that you do not snap off any fragile green chit before planting."
• verb
British To sprout or cause to sprout before planting in the ground, as by placing seed potatoes in a cool, bright place to encourage early shoots.
"Gardeners often chit their early seed potatoes on sunny windowsills in late winter to get a head start on the growing season."
• Rhymes for chit
Word Origin & Etymology
The sense meaning 'a short note or voucher' entered English in the late 18th century via Anglo-Indian 'chitty', from Hindi and Marathi 'citthi' (note or letter), ultimately from Sanskrit 'citra' (spot or mark). The older sense meaning 'a young sprout, cub, or girl' derives from Middle English 'chitte', related to Old English 'cith' (shoot or sprout).