flite

English

Alternative forms

• flyte

Etymology

From Middle English fliten (“to argue, quarrel”), from Old English flītan (“to strive, contend”), from Proto-Germanic *flītanan (“to strive, contend”). Akin to German befleissen (“to apply oneself diligently, endeavor”), Swedish beflita (“to apply to, study”), Dutch vlijt (“diligence, assiduity”), German Fleiss (“diligence, assiduity”), Swedish flit (“diligence”), Danish flid (“diligence”).

Noun

flite (plural flites)

1. a quarrel, dispute, wrangling
2. a scolding

Verb

flite (third-person singular simple present flites, present participle fliting, simple past flited or flote, past participle flited or flitten)

1. to dispute, quarrel, wrangle
2. to scold, jeer

Related terms

• flyting

Anagrams

• filet