1.  Abbreviated pet form of the name Catherine or Kate (cf. KITTY1), used esp. in the obs. phr. Kit has lost her key.

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1533.  More, Apol., xxiv. Wks. 888/2. Certaine letters whiche some of the brethrene let fall of late, and lost theim of likelyhedde as some good kitte leseth her kayes.

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1548.  W. Patten, Exp. Scotl., Pref. in Eng. Garner, III. 71. Oblations and offerings … for deliverance of bad husbands, for a sick cow, to keep down the belly, and when ‘Kit had lost her key.’

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  † 2.  A light woman. Obs. (Cf. KITTOCK.)

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a. 1577.  Gascoigne, Dan Bartholomew, Wks. (1587), 67. Kits of Cressides kinde.

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1600.  Breton, Pasquil’s Fooles-cappe (1879), 21. Such foolish Kittes of such a skittish kinde, In Bridewell booke are euery where to finde.

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