Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Quit?

\Quit\, n. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small passerine birds native of tropical America. See {Banana quit}, under {Banana}, and {Guitguit}.
\Quit\, a. [OE. quite, OF. quite, F. quitte. See {Quit}, v., {Quirt}.] Released from obligation, charge, penalty, etc.; free; clear; absolved; acquitted. --Chaucer. The owner of the ox shall be quit. --Ex. xxi. 28. Note: This word is sometimes used in the form quits, colloquially; as, to be quits with one, that is, to have made mutual satisfaction of demands with him; to be even with him; hence, as an exclamation: Quits! we are even, or on equal terms. ``To cry quits with the commons in their complaints.'' --Fuller.
\Quit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quit} or {Quitted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Quitting}.] [OE. quiten, OF. quiter, quitier, cuitier, F. quitter, to acquit, quit, LL. quietare, fr. L. quietare to calm, to quiet, fr. quietus quiet. See {Quiet}, a., and cf. {Quit}, a., {Quite}, {Acquit}, {Requite}.] 1. To set at rest; to free, as from anything harmful or oppressive; to relieve; to clear; to liberate. [R.] To quit you of this fear, you have already looked Death in the face; what have you found so terrible in it? --Wake. 2. To release from obligation, accusation, penalty, or the like; to absolve; to acquit. There may no gold them quyte. --Chaucer. God will relent, and quit thee all his debt. --Milton. 3. To discharge, as an obligation or duty; to meet and satisfy, as a claim or debt; to make payment for or of; to requite; to repay. The blissful martyr quyte you your meed. --Chaucer. Enkindle all the sparks of nature To quit this horrid act. --Shak. Before that judge that quits each soul his hire. --Fairfax. 4. To meet the claims upon, or expectations entertained of; to conduct; to acquit; -- used reflexively. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men. --I Sam. iv. 9. Samson hath guit himself Like Samson. --Milton. 5. To carry through; to go through to the end. [Obs.] Never worthy prince a day did quit With greater hazard and with more renown. --Daniel. 6. To have done with; to cease from; to stop; hence, to depart from; to leave; to forsake; as, to quit work; to quit the place; to quit jesting. Such a superficial way of examining is to quit truth for appearance. --Locke. {To quit cost}, to pay; to reimburse. {To quit scores}, to make even; to clear mutually from demands. Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it? --South. Syn: To leave; relinquish; resign; abandon; forsake; surrender; discharge; requite. Usage: {Quit}, {Leave}. Leave is a general term, signifying merely an act of departure; quit implies a going without intention of return, a final and absolute abandonment.
\Quit\, v. i. To away; to depart; to stop doing a thing; to cease.