fitch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ObsoleteHistorical, Zoological, Specialised/Heraldic
Quick answer
What does “fitch” mean?
A European polecat (Mustela putorius) or its dark brown fur.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A European polecat (Mustela putorius) or its dark brown fur.
Historically, a paintbrush made from the hair of a polecat; in heraldry, refers to the polecat itself as a charge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obsolete in both varieties. No modern regional preference.
Connotations
Carries historical or specialist connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “fitch” in a Sentence
[Noun] made of fitchthe [adjective] fitchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fitch” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The fitch-brush was favoured for fine detail.
American English
- A fitch-hair brush gives a unique stroke.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Possibly in historical zoology or studies of the medieval fur trade.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
In heraldry: 'Argent, a fitch sable' (silver background with a black polecat). In art conservation: may refer to a type of brush.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fitch”
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'polecat'.
- Confusing it with the surname 'Fitch'.
- Misspelling as 'fich' or 'fitche'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered rare or obsolete. The common word for the animal is 'polecat'.
A brush made from the tail hair of a polecat, known for its spring and ability to hold paint, used by artists and sign-writers.
No direct linguistic connection. The agency is named after its founder, John Knowles Fitch.
No, in standard historical usage, it functions only as a noun (for the animal/fur/brush) or as a modifier (e.g., fitch brush).
A European polecat (Mustela putorius) or its dark brown fur.
Fitch is usually historical, zoological, specialised/heraldic in register.
Fitch: in British English it is pronounced /fɪtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɪtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FETCH a FITCH' – as if a dog were retrieving the brush (fitch) used by an old painter.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this rare, concrete noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which specialist field might you still encounter the word 'fitch'?