Fettle

Word of the Day for Tuesday April 19, 2005

fettle \FET-l\, noun:
A state or condition of fitness or order; state of mind; spirits -- often used in the phrase "in fine fettle."

Aside from the problems with her voice . . . Miss Garland was in fine fettle last night.
--Vincent Canby, "Judy Garland Sets the Palace Alight," New York Times, August 1, 1967

Back in 1987, the Conservatives won a thumping majority in a June general election, primarily because the economy was seen by grateful voters to be in fine fettle.
--Larry Elliott, "Danger of a recurring nightmare," The Guardian, June 18, 2001

Many of the nuns were in fine fettle, even into their 80s and 90s.
--John McCrone, "Sisters of mercy," The Guardian, August 18, 2001

He seems in fine fettle when we meet, and happy to discuss the film that gave him his break.
--Charlotte O'Sullivan, "Naked ambition," The Guardian, February 7, 1999


Fettle is from Middle English fetlen, "to set in order," originally "to gird up," from Old English fetel, "a girdle."
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Fitness of the body:


fitness body and spirit (at least when i run):


Fitness of the mind-happy in creation:


Antonym-disgruntled puppeteer. Not of a good mind or spirit.