doit

See also do it

English

Etymology

From Middle Low German doyt, cognate with Middle Dutch duit.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dɔɪt/

Noun

doit (plural doits)

1. (historical) A small Dutch coin, equivalent to one-eighth of a stiver.
   • c. 1606, Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 12:

     most monster-like, be shown / For poor'st diminutives, for doits;

2. (archaic) A small amount; a bit, a jot.
   • 1819, — Walter Scott, Ivanhoe

     “Speak out, ye Saxon dogs — what bid ye for your worthless lives? — How say you, you of Rotherwood?” “Not a doit I,” answered poor Wamba.

   • 1610, The Tempest, by Shakespeare, act 2 scene 2

     When / they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they / will lay out ten to see a dead Indian.

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dwa/, X-SAMPA: /dwa/
• Homophones: doigt, doigts, dois

Verb

doit

1. Must, has to third-person singular present indicative of devoir

   Il doit aller en France un jour

   He must go to France one day

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Old French

Etymology

Latin digitus

Noun

doit m (oblique plural doiz, nominative singular doiz, nominative plural doit)

1. finger (appendage)

Descendants

• French: doigt