slit
.
Searchable Lemmata: slitan (OE), slite (OE), slitten (ME), slitte (ME), slit (MdE), slitter (MdE).
Alternate Forms: slat, slits, slitterede, slittes, slytered, slyttys.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1a(vb.)
Manufacture;
to split or cut open; in textile uses, refers to the cutting of an opening in a fabric or garment. Also as the past participle.(circa 1000 still in current use)
1. Ða þæra sacerda ealdor slat hys agyn reaf & cwæð, þys ys bysmorspræc; To hwi wilnige we ænigre oþre sæge; Nu ge gehyrdon of hym gyltlice spræce.
Biblical/Hagiographic.
[DOE Mt (WSCp) (0985 (26.65)]
Sex: Male, Female Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
1b(vb.)
Decoration;
in the extended verbal form 'slitter'; found as past participle/adjective 'slittered'.(ante 1400 - ante 1500)
Sex: Male, Female Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
1(n.)
Decoration;
a tear or slit in a garment.(circa 1000 still in current use)
1. Ne deþ witodlice nan man niwes claðes scyp on eald reaf; He tobrycð hys stede on þam reafe & se slite byþ þe wyrsa.
[DOE Mt (WSCp) (0264 (9.16))]
Sex: Male, Female Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, from the native OE verb slitan (with various Germanic cognates); in some instances the adjective is identical in form with the past tense form of the verb (the form slitted, however, does not occur before the 18th century).
WF:
Etym Cog:
References:
