whit1
/wɪt
/noun [in singular]
A very small part or amount: the last whit of warmth was drawn off by the setting sun...
- All of which now makes me wonder: when you come right down to it, did the antitrust trial of the century make a whit of difference?
- No amount of talk, therapy or talk therapy will make a whit of difference.
- Did the ending make a whit of sense?
Synonyms
scrap, bit, tiny amount, speck, iota, particle, ounce, jot, atom, crumb, shred, morsel, trifle, fragment, grain, drop, touch, trace, shadow, suggestion, whisper, suspicion, scintilla, spot, mite, tittle, jot or tittle, modicum;
Irish stim
informal smidgen, smidge
archaic scantling, scruple
Phrases
every whit
not (or never) a whit
Origin
Late Middle English: apparently an alteration of obsolete wight 'small amount'.
Rhymes
Whit2
/wɪt/British
noun
short for Whitsuntide.
adjective
Connected with or following Whit Sunday: Whit Monday...
- It gave the lucky owner a fully inclusive 24-hour steam train trip to the capital and back on Whit Saturday, 15 June 1935.
- It also mentions that at Bowness Gala on Whit Thursday, May 17, 1883, there were 35 prizes.
- He has been a dedicated member, who hardly missed a rehearsal and took part in trips abroad and Saddleworth's famous Whit Friday band contest.