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fit-out n [phonetics unavailable]. OED fit sb4 (1836, 1844),
DAE (1840-), DC 1, 2 (1829-; 1955) for senses 1, 3. See also FIT: fit
out, RIG n.
1 An outfit; clothing, supplies and equipment (for
a fishing voyage, sealing, etc); gear.
1887 HOWLEY MS
Reminiscences 5 We got them out as soon as possible and then of course they each
wanted a fit out [to accompany me into the interior]. 1924 ENGLAND 30 I have just dumped
my 'fit-out' and myself into a kind of little hellhole aft of the main cabin. T 36-64
That's your crop. you see; when you starts in the spring you'd want, say, twenty-five or
thirty or forty dollars of a fit-out—bit o' grub, rubber boots an' rubber clothes
an' so on. T 31/2-64 We had to leave the Straits and got us fit-out to Job Brothers there
to lanch 'em along. He had a room by that time—got us a fit-out there for the
Labrador, so much of everything: baccy an' some grub. T 396/7-67 When you're goin' to
fish in the spring o' the year you go an' take out a fit-out. You take your salt. . .
Well, if you had traps you'd get twine an' rope an' stuff from the merchant, see; all
charged up to you. 1967 FIRESTONE 57 The implication when a man marries into his wife's
community is that he hadn't enough substance, in capital goods or personality, not to
have to rely upon her or her people. There are, however, men who have married in with
their own 'fit outs' of gear and who are in no way considered in this light.
2 The costume, face disguise and appurtenances of a Christmas
mummer; odd or bizarre apparel.
1893 Christmas Greeting 19
A rapidly improvised canvas mask with an enormous nose, like the flying jib of a schooner
turned upside down. and an old 'beaver hat,' with a red band around it, gave the
finishing touch to my somewhat mongrel fit-out. T 26-642 I once saw a young
fellow dressed up in a barrel. He had the head cut out and a piece of brin or some
material like that, put [it] in the bottom and a hole cut out for his arm. He just poked
his head up into it and went on! Of course he didn't get in anybody's house with that
fit-out on! 1976 Guy 27 ... sitting on his back wearing a fitout all done out with lumps
of gold as big as hens eggs.
3 Habitual wearing apparel; suit of
clothes.
T 139/40-65 He was in poor circumstances—he didn't
have any fit-out, see. So she [was) goin' to give him a fit-out o' clothes. M 70-21 A
person receiving a new outfit (or fit-out) of clothes might be considered all
'rigged-out' for the coming season, be it winter or summer.
4 A
group (of persons).
1892 Christmas Review 26 ... to say
that a Red Indian, from the wild hills, was able to do for us what the whole fit-out of
us, who hailed from the middle of civilization, couldn't do for ourselves.
5 A technical device for a specified purpose; contraption; MACHINE.
P 148-60 ~ A term applied to any object or instrument, when proper
name is unknown or too burdensome [to use]. T 26-643 [The brigs) used to have
yards across them, see. They had the same kind of a fit-out, but they had yards besides
up the topsail. T 92/3-64 Then when this got worked, they'd have to get their fit-out an'
runned it off—moonshine.
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