Outfitting

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of supplying and preparing equipment or attire for a specific undertaking or purpose
2. The process of equipping individuals or objects with essential gear or clothing for a designated activity
3. The process of supplying all required equipment or attire to ready someone or something for a particular activity

Etymology: "Outfitting" is the present participle and gerund of "outfit", so the story belongs to the verb it comes from. The verb is a variant of an earlier "out-fit", which was formed from "fit out": "fit" in the sense of making ready or equipping, with "out" added to give the sense of fully supplying something for a purpose. The base "fit" here is an older English sense meaning to prepare or furnish, not the modern sense of suiting a size or shape. The two-part structure is the key to its meaning. "Fit out" and "outfit" both describe equipping a person, ship, or expedition with everything needed before it sets off. The "out" adds completeness, as in "use up" or "carry out," so the process is one of supplying the full set of required items rather than just some of them. The compound's meaning has stayed close to this physical sense of provisioning, which is why the word is still used for kitting out an expedition, a ship, or a sports team.

Synonyms: equipping, furnishing, providing, supplying, arming

Antonyms: stripping, depleting, removing, taking away, disarming