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quite(2) (iou)



quite adverb & adjective1. ME.
[Adverbial use of quite var. of QUIT adjective.]
A. adverb.
Completely, fully, entirely; to the utmost extent or degree; in the fullest sense. Also, exceptionally. ME.
T. Hardy Ethelberta would have been disappointed quite. J. Buchan The place is quite bare and empty. M. de la Roche There were quite eight books in the packet. A. T. Ellis I can quite see why Evvie comes so often.
b. As a comment on a statement or a reply to a question: just so; I entirely agree. Freq. in quite so. colloq. L19.
P. G. Wodehouse 'The thing's impossible.' 'Quite,' agreed Sir Herbert.
Actually, truly, absolutely; plainly, definitely. Also used as an intensive (freq. iron.) before a determiner and noun. L16.
W. S. Maugham His red cheeks..had..a purple tinge that was quite alarming. G. Vidal In thirty years one picks up quite a bit, you know. D. Bogarde This is quite a place? Or should I say Palace? M. Forster Cream was quite the worst colour for her mistress to wear.
Somewhat; moderately; fairly. M19.
R. Dinnage She was all right, I supposequite nice.
b. ellipt. as adjective. Socially acceptable. Usu. in neg. contexts. colloq. M19.
Phrases: not quite colloq. socially unacceptable. quite a FEW. quite another, quite other very different. quite something colloq. a remarkable thing; a good deal.