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

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

1
before 900; Middle English sitten, Old English sittan; cognate with Dutch zitten, German sitzen, Old Norse sitja; akin to Gothic sitan, Latin sedēre, Greek hézesthai (base hed-); cf. set, sedate, cathedral, nest

usage note for sit

See set.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sit

set sit (see usage note at 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

1

Rise to a sitting position from lying down, as in The sick child sat up and asked for a drink of water. [Early 1200s]

2

Stay up later than usual, as in The nurse sat up with her all night long. [Mid-1500s]

3

Sit with the spine erect, as in She was always telling the students to sit up. [Early 1700s]

4

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