fettling

US: (fet′ling)

From the verb fettle: (⇒ conjugate)

fettling is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fet•tling  (fet′ling), n. [Metall.]

1. Metallurgy the material with which the hearth of a puddling furnace is lined, usually a dolomite or refractory mixture.

• fettle + -ing¹ 1860–65

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fet•tle /ˈfɛtəl/   n. [uncountable]

1. state;
   condition:
   They felt in fine fettle.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fet•tle  (fet′l), n., v., -tled, -tling. 
n. 

1. state;
   condition:
   in fine fettle.

v.t. 

2. Ceramics to remove mold marks from (a cast piece).
3. [Metall.]
   • Metallurgy to remove sand from (a casting).
   • Metallurgy to repair the hearth of (an open-hearth furnace).

• Middle English fetle to shape, prepare, back formation from fetled, Old English *fetelede girded up, equivalent. to fetel belt + -ede -ed² 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fettle / ˈfɛt^əl/ verb (transitive)

1. to line or repair (the walls of a furnace)
2. to prepare or arrange (a thing, oneself, etc), esp to put a finishing touch to
3. to repair or mend (something)

noun

1. state of health, spirits, etc (esp in the phrase in fine fettle)

Etymology: 14th Century (in the sense: to put in order): back formation from fetled girded up, from Old English fetel belt