quit

quit¹

—quittable, adj.

/kwit/, v., quit or quitted, quitting, adj.

v.t.

1. to stop, cease, or discontinue: She quit what she was doing to help me paint the house.

2. to depart from; leave (a place or person): They quit the city for the seashore every summer.

3. to give up or resign; let go; relinquish: He quit his claim to the throne. She quit her job.

4. to release one's hold of (something grasped).

5. to acquit or conduct (oneself).

6. to free or rid (oneself): to quit oneself of doubts.

7. to clear (a debt); repay.

v.i.

8. to cease from doing something; stop.

9. to give up or resign one's job or position: He keeps threatening to quit.

10. to depart or leave.

11. to stop trying, struggling, or the like; accept or acknowledge defeat.

adj.

12. released from obligation, penalty, etc.; free, clear, or rid (usually fol. by of): quit of all further responsibilities.

[1175-1225; (adj.) ME quit(te) exempt, freed, acquitted of ( < OF quite) < ML quittus, by-form of quitus ( > > ME quit(e); see QUITE), for L quietus QUIET¹; (v.) ME quit(t)en to pay, acquit oneself < OF quit(t)er < ML quittare, quietare to release, discharge, LL quietare to put to rest, QUIET¹]

Syn. 3. surrender, release. 12. acquitted, discharged.

Ant. 1, 8. start. 2. enter.

quit²

/kwit/, n.

any of various small tropical birds.

[1845-50; orig. Jamaican E, of uncert. orig.]

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