adv. (a.) Obs. exc. dial. Forms: α. 3– tite, 4–5 tyt, tytt(e, 4–8 tyte, 4–9 tit. β. 3–5 tid, tyd, 8 tide. γ. 4 tyȝt, tiȝt, tiht, 5 tyght(e. Compared titter, tittest: see TITTER adv. [From Scandinavian: cf. ON. títt adv., ‘frequently, often,’ neuter of tíðr adj., ‘frequent, eager,’ OSw. tid ‘repeatedly, quickly’ (Södervall II. 627), Norw. and Sw. dial. tidt ‘quickly’ (Aasen, Ross, Rietz), the development being ‘repeatedly, at short intervals, quickly.’ The γ-forms are app. erroneous spellings.] Quickly, soon. Obs. exc. as in c.
a. 1225. [implied in TITELY].
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter xxxvi. 2. Als wortes of grenes tite fal sal þai.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18497. Þai war transfigurd als tite [Laud tyȝt] Was neuer i-wis snau sa quite.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 13235. Archers … on þe Romayns smyten ful tit.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 133. But truly tiȝt hadde þat quene take hire to rede.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7126. Full tid in hire tene turnys he þe qwell. Ibid., 8002. Ector toke hit full tyd.
c. 1410[?]. Sir Cleges, 291. Goo bake … Full tyghte without teryyng!
c. 1450. Mankind, 152, in Macro Plays, 6. Felouse, go we hens tyght!
1575. Gamm. Gurton, I. iv. A iv. That chal, gammer, swythe and tyte, and sone be here agayn.
16[?]. in Drake, Eboracum, I. vi. (1736), 192. The serjeants shall bring sufficient distress to the court, such as will most disease him and the tittest will gar him answer.
† b. As, als, also tit, als tid, etc.: as soon, as quickly, immediately. (Cf. F. aussitôt; also ON. semtídast with all speed, at once, immediately.)
[c. 1320–1450: see ALSTITE, ASTITE.]
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1213. Ouer-tok hem, as tyd, tult hem of sadeles.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVI. 61. I shal telle þe as tite [v.rr. tyt, tyte, tid] what þis tree hatte.
14[?]. Lybeaus Disc., 784. Than seyde Lybeaus al so tyte [etc.].
14[?]. Tundale’s Vis., 686. And als tyte [v.r. tyd] was he all hale.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 690. To the grownd he felle ase tyght.
c. 1450. Cov. Myst., iii. (Shaks. Soc.), 38. Ha don, and answere me as tyght.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., iii. 219. We shalle assay as tyte.
c. As tite … as, as soon … as, as readily, willingly, or well … as. dial.
1587. Durham Depos. (Surtees), 322. I may as tite be a ladye as thou a lord.
1876. Whitby Gloss., s.v., ‘I had as tite go as stay.’
1878. Cumbrld. Gloss., ‘I’d as tite dea’t as nut.’
† d. as adj. Quick, swift. (rare and doubtful.)
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 6738. Menelaus, And Thelamon the tore kyng with theire tite batels.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 258. Tytest that tyme he wes of ony vther Agane Modred. Ibid., 305. Oswald, that tyme tytest of other.
1768. Ross, Helenore, I. 32. Wi’ weet an wind sae tyte into my teeth, That it was like to cut my very breath.
