subs. (originally American: now colloquial).—1. Character; pluck; spirit; SAND (q.v.). Also CLEAR GRIT. NO GRIT = lacking in stamina; wanting in courage.
1825. NEAL, Brother Jonathan, bk. II., ch. xiv. A chap who was clear GRIT for a tussle, any time.
1848. W. E. BURTON, Waggeries and Vagaries, p. 13. The old folks … began to think that she warn’t the CLEAR GRIT.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, ch. vi. A real lady—l’air noble—the rael genuine grit, as Sam Slick says.
1852. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, ch. vii. You’re a right brave old girl. I like GRIT, wherever I see it.
1860. THACKERAY, The Adventures of Philip, ch. xxxi. If you were a chip of the old block you would be just what he called ‘the GRIT.’
1889. Referee, 6 Jan. They never did think there was any real GRIT about him.
1890. Scribner’s Magazine, Feb., 242. ‘Looks like he got GRIT, don’t it?’ Lige muttered.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L. OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 249. I am as full of GRIT and work as ever, and just tower above our troubles.
2. (Canadian political).—A member of the Liberal party.
