fettle

American  

[fet-l] / ˈfɛt l /

noun

1. state; condition.

   in fine fettle.

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verb (used with object)

fettled, fettling

1. Ceramics. to remove mold marks from (a cast piece).

2. Metallurgy.

   1. to remove sand from (a casting).

   2. to repair the hearth of (an open-hearth furnace).

fettle British  

/ ˈfɛtəl /

verb

1. to remove (excess moulding material and casting irregularities) from a cast component

2. to line or repair (the walls of a furnace)

3. dialect

   1. to prepare or arrange (a thing, oneself, etc), esp to put a finishing touch to

   2. to repair or mend (something)

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noun

1. state of health, spirits, etc (esp in the phrase in fine fettle )

2. another name for fettling

Etymology

Origin of fettle

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb fetlen, fetelen, fatelen “to shape, prepare,” perhaps from Old English noun fetel “belt, girdle”

Example Sentences

For Barclay the format is "in pretty good fettle" despite concerns it is facing some sort of existential crisis.

From BBC

The Abel who was leaving was in better fettle, in all ways, than the Abel who had arrived in a hurricane, desperately clinging to a nail.

From Literature

Eighth two years ago and pulled up last year does not scream National winner although has been in fine fettle this season, including defeat of Limerick Lace when winning Troytown Chase at Navan.

From BBC

Overall, markets go into Wednesday in pretty fine fettle.

From Reuters

Treasuries emerged from Thanksgiving in fine fettle, but other assets were a little slower off the mark in Asia, with traders' looking ahead to U.S. jobs and growth data next week.

From Reuters