fettle
pronunciation
How to pronounce fettle in British English:
UK [ˈfetl]
How to pronounce fettle in American English:
US [ˈfɛtl]
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- Noun:
- a state of fitness and good health
Word Origin
- fettle
- fettle: see fetch
- fettle (n.)
- "condition, state, trim," c. 1750, in a glossary of Lancashire dialect, from northern Middle English fettle (v.) "to make ready, fix, prepare, arrange" (late 14c.), which is of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to Old English fetian "to fetch" (see fetch (v.)); perhaps from Old English fetel "a girdle, belt," from Proto-Germanic *fatilaz (cognates: German fessel "fetter, chain," Old Norse fetill "strap, brace"), from PIE *ped- (2) "container" (see vat). Related: Fettler; fettling.
Example
- 1. Judged by their giant compensation bills , wall street 's banks are in fine fettle .
- 2. At first sight , the economy hit the august turmoil in fine fettle .
- 3. Several politicians and tv personalities have had their deaths announced on wikipedia while they were still in fine fettle .
- 4. True enough , but mr nazarbayev himself looks in fine fettle and does not seem ready to make room for the younger generation .
- 5. With the financial system once again apparently in fine fettle , and economists declaring that the recession ended in june , it is reasonable to ask why the balance sheet is still growing .