Chitty

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃɪti/

Definitions

1. A small written note or token used as a receipt or voucher ; a small, lightweight boat commonly used for fishing in shallow waters
2. A brief handwritten slip serving as a record or token ; a modest fishing boat typically used in calm or coastal waters
3. A short piece of paper serving as a proof or receipt ; a small craft designed for fishing or coastal navigation

Etymology: Many people assume this note sense grew from the English "chit," meaning a sprout or young animal, with the diminutive ending "-y" added. The note sense actually comes from Hindi "ciṭṭhī," meaning "letter, note, written message." It reached English through British India, where it was used for the short handwritten slips that officials and merchants passed around. English already had "chit" for a sprout or whelp, and "chitty" was formed from it with "-y." Those are separate lines of descent, though the spellings coincide. The note sense is the Hindi loan, and it is a doublet of "cure," meaning the two words entered English by different routes from a shared ancestor.

Synonyms: note, voucher, receipt, slip, token