whit
[ hwit, wit ]
/ ʰwɪt, wɪt /
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noun
a particle; bit; jot (used especially in negative phrases): not a whit better.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of whit
1470–80; perhaps alteration of Middle English wihtwight1
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH whit
whit , witWords nearby whit
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for whit (1 of 2)
whit
/ (wɪt) /
noun
(usually used with a negative) the smallest particle; iota; jothe has changed not a whit
Word Origin for whit
C15: probably variant of wight 1
British Dictionary definitions for whit (2 of 2)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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