sit-up
[ sit-uhp ]
/ ˈsɪtˌʌp /
noun
an exercise in which a person lies flat on the back, lifts the torso to a sitting position, and then lies flat again without changing the position of the legs: formerly done with the legs straight but now usually done with the knees bent.
Origin of sit-up
First recorded in 1835–45; noun use of verb phrase
sit up
Words nearby sit-up
sit-down,
sit-down money,
sit-down strike,
sit-in,
sit-ins,
sit-up,
sit-upon,
sita,
sitar,
sitatunga,
sitcom
Definition for sit up (2 of 2)
sit
1
[ sit ]
/ sɪt /
verb (used without object), sat or (Archaic) sate; sat or (Archaic) sit·ten; sit·ting.
verb (used with object), sat or (Archaic) sate; sat or (Archaic) sit·ten; sit·ting.
Verb Phrases
Origin of sit
1usage note for sit
See
set.
British Dictionary definitions for sit up (1 of 3)
sit up
verb (adverb)
to raise (oneself or another) from a recumbent to an upright or alert sitting posture
(intr)
to remain out of bed and awake, esp until a late hour
(intr) informal
to become suddenly interested or alert
devaluation of the dollar made the money market sit up
noun sit-up
a physical exercise in which the body is brought into a sitting position from one lying on the back
Also: trunk curl
British Dictionary definitions for sit up (2 of 3)
SIT
/ text messaging /
abbreviation for
stay in touch
British Dictionary definitions for sit up (3 of 3)
sit
/ (sɪt) /
verb sits, sitting or sat (mainly intr)
Word Origin for sit
Old English
sittan; related to Old Norse
sitja, Gothic
sitan, Old High German
sizzen, Latin
sedēre to sit, Sanskrit
sīdati he sits
Idioms and Phrases with sit up (1 of 2)
sit up
Rise to a sitting position from lying down, as in The sick child sat up and asked for a drink of water. [Early 1200s]
Stay up later than usual, as in The nurse sat up with her all night long. [Mid-1500s]
Sit with the spine erect, as in She was always telling the students to sit up. [Early 1700s]
Become suddenly alert, as in The students sat up when he brought up the test. The same sense appears in the related sit up and take notice, as in When he mentioned the arrival of a movie star, they all sat up and took notice. [Late 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with sit up (2 of 2)
sit