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• fitch
  fitch

  noun

  the European polecat, Mustela putorius.
• Fitch
  Fitch

  noun

  John, 1743–98, U.S. inventor: pioneer in development of the steamboat.

fitch

¹ American  

[fich] / fɪtʃ /

Also fitchet

noun

• fitches
  plural

1. the European polecat, Mustela putorius.

2. its fur, often dyed to imitate other furs.

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Fitch ² American  

[fich] / fɪtʃ /

noun

1. John, 1743–98, U.S. inventor: pioneer in development of the steamboat.

2. (William) Clyde, 1865–1909, U.S. playwright.

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fitch British  

/ fɪtʃ /

noun

1. another name for polecat

2. the fur of the polecat or ferret

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fitches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fitch

1400–50; late Middle English fiche, feche, fuche polecat fur < Middle Dutch fisse, visse, vitsche polecat

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fitch Fitch fitches

At Céline, in addition to the suede jumpsuit, Phoebe Philo offered slouchy leather pants with a color-block turtleneck and a pair of fur wrap coats, one beaver and the other fitch.

From New York Times ● Jan. 11, 2012

With youth in mind, and to revive a market that dropped 40% in sales between 1947 and 1967, Kaplan branched out into inexpensive furs like mink paw, fitch and squirrel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Later on they found that in some mysterious way a bag of flour, a fitch of bacon, a small bag of salt, and a few other small articles had been taken from the cook tent.

From Bob Hunt in Canada by George W. Orton

She put out a most cordial and warm hand from her fitch muff, and her acquaintance noticed with pleasure the white knitted mitten that protected it from the weather.

From The Life of Nancy by Sarah Orne Jewett

Good pup," said Mick, "fitch him out, pup!—What is it—native cat?

From Outback Marriage, an : a story of Australian life by A. B. (Andrew Barton) Paterson

It aims to offer an alternative viewpoint to the "big three" global credit ratings -- Fitch, Moody's and S&P -- which have been accused in the past of unfairly playing down African economies.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Fitch is continuing to assess the situation before issuing any new ranking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Fitch also raises assumptions for diammonium phosphate prices for 2026-2027, to reflect rising sulphur prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Apple raised prices by hundreds of dollars on some Macs and iPads this summer, Asa Fitch notes for The Wall Street Journal, and is charging more for its latest round of iPhones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

I recognize him because he's on the lacrosse team and looks like he stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Isaiah and Jeremiah by Alexander Maclaren

Mink, now, fitches a fancy price when you can catch 'em.

From Baby Pitcher's Trials Little Pitcher Stories by Carrie L. May

When lie hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Isaiah and Jeremiah by Alexander Maclaren

The ornaments are usually done with stencil patterns, and the lines are done with straight edges and lining fitches.

From Paper and Printing Recipes A Handy Volume of Practical Recipes, Concerning the Every-Day Business of Stationers, Printers, Binders, and the Kindred Trades by J. Sawtelle Ford

"Fitches are not threshed with a thresher, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod."

From Heathen Slaves and Christian Rulers by Elizabeth Wheeler Andrew