*it

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Accredited; p. pr. & vb. n. Accrediting. ] [ F. accréditer; à (L. ad) + crédit credit. See Credit. ] 1. To put or bring into credit; to invest with credit or authority; to sanction. [ 1913 Webster ]

His censure will . . . accredit his praises. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

These reasons . . . which accredit and fortify mine opinion. Shelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy, or diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or delegate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beton . . . was accredited to the Court of France. Froude. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To believe; to credit; to put trust in. [ 1913 Webster ]

The version of early Roman history which was accredited in the fifth century. Sir G. C. Lewis. [ 1913 Webster ]

He accredited and repeated stories of apparitions and witchcraft. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To credit; to vouch for or consider (some one) as doing something, or (something) as belonging to some one. [ 1913 Webster ]

To accredit (one)
with (something), to attribute something to him; as, Mr. Clay was accredited with these views; they accredit him with a wise saying. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. Acquitted; set free; rid of. [ Archaic ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquitting. ] [ OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; &unr_; (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet. ] 1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite. [ 1913 Webster ]

A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pay for; to atone for. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self. Shak. (b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate; release; discharge. See Absolve. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. adhibitus, p. p. of adhibere to hold to; ad + habere to have. ] 1. To admit, as a person or thing; to take in. Muirhead. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To use or apply; to administer. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To attach; to affix. Alison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. aditus, fr. adire, aditum, to go to; ad + ire to go. ] 1. An entrance or passage. Specifically: The nearly horizontal opening by which a mine is entered, or by which water and ores are carried away; -- called also drift and tunnel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Admission; approach; access. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Yourself and yours shall have
Free adit. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Admitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Admitting. ] [ OE. amitten, L. admittere, admissum; ad + mittere to send: cf. F. admettre, OF. admettre, OF. ametre. See Missile. ] 1. To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take; as, they were into his house; to admit a serious thought into the mind; to admit evidence in the trial of a cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket admits one into a playhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise; as, to admit an attorney to practice law; the prisoner was admitted to bail. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess; as, the argument or fact is admitted; he admitted his guilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit such a construction. In this sense, of may be used after the verb, or may be omitted. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both Houses declared that they could admit of no treaty with the king. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. adroit; à (L. ad) = droit straight, right, fr. L. directus, p. p. of dirigere. See Direct. ] Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficulty; ready in invention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit mechanic, an adroit reply. “Adroit in the application of the telescope and quadrant.” Horsley. “He was adroit in intrigue.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Dexterous; skillful; expert; ready; clever; deft; ingenious; cunning; ready-witted. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. affidavit he has made oath, perfect tense of affidare. See Affiance, Affy. ] (Law) A sworn statement in writing; a declaration in writing, signed and made upon oath before an authorized magistrate. Bouvier. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is always made ex parte, and without cross-examination, and in this differs from a deposition. It is also applied to written statements made on affirmation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Deposition. See Deposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Arab. 'ifrīt. ] (Moham. Myth.) A powerful evil jinnee, demon, or monstrous giant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Wisdom or perception that comes after it can be of use. “After-wit comes too late when the mischief is done.” L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. &unr_;, &unr_;, perh. dim. of īeg, īg, island. See Eyot. ] An islet, or little isle, in a river or lake; an eyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ait where the osiers grew. R. Hodges (1649). [ 1913 Webster ]

Among green aits and meadows. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Oat. [ Scot. ] Burns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Scandinavian liquor usually flavored with caroway seeds.
Syn. -- aquavit [ WordNet 1.5 ]

conj. [ OE. al be although it be, where al is our all. Cf. Although. ] Even though; although; notwithstanding. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Albeit so masked, Madam, I love the truth. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ambitus circuit, fr. ambire to go around. See Ambient. ] Circuit or compass. [ 1913 Webster ]

His great parts did not live within a small ambit. Milward. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. amittere, amissum, to lose; a (ab) + mittere to send. See Missile. ] To lose. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A lodestone fired doth presently amit its proper virtue. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a Scandinavian liquor usually flavored with caroway seeds; -- also called akvavit.
Syn. -- akvavit. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Arm + pit. ] The hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder; the axilla. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., he undertook, pret. of L. assumere. See Assume. ] (Law) (a) A promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration. This promise may be oral or in writing not under seal. It may be express or implied. (b) An action to recover damages for a breach or nonperformance of a contract or promise, express or implied, oral or in writing not under seal. Common or indebitatus assumpsit is brought for the most part on an implied promise. Special assumpsit is founded on an express promise or undertaking. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. auditus a hearing, fr. audire. See Audible, a. ] 1. An audience; a hearing. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He appeals to a high audit. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An examination in general; a judicial examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

Specifically: An examination of an account or of accounts, with the hearing of the parties concerned, by proper officers, or persons appointed for that purpose, who compare the charges with the vouchers, examine witnesses, and state the result. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The result of such an examination, or an account as adjusted by auditors; final account. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet I can make my audit up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A general receptacle or receiver. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It [ a little brook ] paid to its common audit no more than the revenues of a little cloud. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Audit ale, a kind of ale, brewed at the English universities, orig. for the day of audit. --
Audit house,
Audit room, an appendage to a cathedral, for the transaction of its business. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Audited; p. pr. & vb. n. Auditing. ] To examine and adjust, as an account or accounts; as, to audit the accounts of a treasure, or of parties who have a suit depending in court. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To settle or adjust an account. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let Hocus audit; he knows how the money was disbursed. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ F. Lit., to the deed, act, or point. Fait is fr. L. factum. See Fact. ] Expert; skillful; well instructed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Awaited; p. pr. & vb. n. Awaiting. ] [ OF. awaitier, agaitier; &unr_; (L. ad) + waitier, gaitier to watch, F. guetter. See Wait. ] 1. To watch for; to look out for. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To wait on, serve, or attend. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See Expect. [ 1913 Webster ]

Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat,
Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good. [ 1913 Webster ]

O Eve, some farther change awaits us night. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To watch. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To wait (on or upon). [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To wait; to stay in waiting. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. act as a baby-sitter
Syn. -- babysit, sit [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t. ] 1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A light or hasty luncheon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bait bug (Zool.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting. ] [ OE. baiten, beitēn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta. √87. See Bite. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook. [ 1913 Webster ]

A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, v. t. ] To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. “Kites that bait and beat.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Bandits or Banditti [ It. bandito outlaw, p. p. of bandire to proclaim, to banish, to proscribe, LL. bandire, bannire. See Ban an edict, and cf. Banish. ] An outlaw; a brigand. [ 1913 Webster ]

No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The plural banditti was formerly used as a collective noun. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deerstealers are ever a desperate banditti. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a furnished sitting room with sleeping accommodations (and some plumbing).
Syn. -- bedsitting room, bedsitter. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Befitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Befitting. ] To be suitable to; to suit; to become. [ 1913 Webster ]

That name best befits thee. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Beaux-esprits [ F., fine wit. ] A fine genius, or man of wit. “A man of letters and a bel esprit.” W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. benefet, benfeet, bienfet, F. bienfait, fr. L. benefactum; bene well (adv. of bonus good) + factum, p. p. of facere to do. See Bounty, and Fact. ] 1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps. ciii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to property; advantage; profit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men have no right to what is not for their benefit. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A theatrical performance, a concert, or the like, the proceeds of which do not go to the lessee of the theater or to the company, but to some individual actor, or to some charitable use. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Beneficence; liberality. [ Obs. ] Webster (1623). [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. Natural advantages; endowments; accomplishments. [ R. ] “The benefits of your own country.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Benefit of clergy. (Law) See under Clergy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Profit; service; use; avail. See Advantage. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Benefited; p. pr. & vb. n. Benefitting. ] To be beneficial to; to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to; to profit. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. Jer. xviii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he will benefit by the change. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. be- + sit. ] To suit; to fit; to become. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. Bespit; p. p. Bespit, Bespitten p. pr. & vb. n. Bespitting. ] To daub or soil with spittle. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. buie bond, chain, fr. L. boja neck collar, fetter. Cf. Buoy. ] A double slip of leather by which bells are fastened to a hawk's legs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. biscuit (cf. It. biscotto, Sp. bizcocho, Pg. biscouto), fr. L. bis twice + coctus, p. p. of coquere to cook, bake. See Cook, and cf. Bisque a kind of porcelain. ] 1. A kind of unraised bread, of many varieties, plain, sweet, or fancy, formed into flat cakes, and bakes hard; as, ship biscuit. [ 1913 Webster ]

According to military practice, the bread or biscuit of the Romans was twice prepared in the oven. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small loaf or cake of bread, raised and shortened, or made light with soda or baking powder. Usually a number are baked in the same pan, forming a sheet or card. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Earthen ware or porcelain which has undergone the first baking, before it is subjected to the glazing. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Sculp.) A species of white, unglazed porcelain, in which vases, figures, and groups are formed in miniature. [ 1913 Webster ]

Meat biscuit, an alimentary preparation consisting of matters extracted from meat by boiling, or of meat ground fine and combined with flour, so as to form biscuits. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bītan to bite. See Bite, n. & v., and cf. Bit a morsel. ] 1. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The foamy bridle with the bit of gold. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bitted p. pr. & vb. n. Bitting. ] To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. of Bite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bītan to bite; akin to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See Bite, v., and cf. Bit part of a bridle. ] 1. A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Somewhat; something, but not very great. [ 1913 Webster ]

My young companion was a bit of a poet. T. Hook. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The cutting iron of a plane. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Information theory, Computers) [ binary digit. ] n.1. The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off. See also qubit. [ PJC ]

2. (Computers) The physical representation of a bit of information in a computer memory or a data storage medium. Within a computer circuit a bit may be represented by the state of a current or an electrical charge; in a magnetic storage medium it may be represented by the direction of magnetization; on a punched card or on paper tape it may be represented by the presence or absence of a hole at a particular point on the card or tape. [ PJC ]

Bit my bit, piecemeal. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]