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Quite

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quite

[kwahyt]
–adverb
1. completely, wholly, or entirely: quite the reverse; not quite finished.
2. actually, really, or truly: quite a sudden change.
3. to a considerable extent or degree: quite small; quite objectionable.

Origin:
1300–50; ME, adv. use of quit(e), a var. of quit(te) quit 1 , the meaning of the two forms not being distinct in ME
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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quite   (kwīt)   
adv.  
  1. To the greatest extent; completely: quite alone; not quite finished. See Usage Note at perfect.

  2. Actually; really: I'm quite positive about it.

  3. To a degree; rather: quite soon; quite tasty.


[Middle English, from quite, clear, free, from Old French, from Latin quiētus, freed; see quiet.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

quite 
c.1330, adverbial form of M.E. quit, quite (adj.) "free, clear" (see quit). Originally "thoroughly;" the weaker sense of "fairly" is attested from mid-19c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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