titivate
English
editEtymology
editModification of earlier spelling tidivate, perhaps based on tidy + -vate, on the pattern of words like cultivate and renovate.
Pronunciation
editVerb
edittitivate (third-person singular simple present titivates, present participle titivating, simple past and past participle titivated)
- To make small improvements or alterations to (one's appearance etc.); to add some finishing touches to, to spruce up or touch up.
- 1950, Mervyn Peake, Gormenghast:
- Had she spent the best part of a day in titivating herself in order that she might sit plunged in darkness, with nothing but her feet and her nose revealed?
Alternative forms
editDerived terms
editTranslations
editto make small improvements to
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