Slit, n. [AS. slite.] A long
cut; a narrow opening; as, a slit in the ear.
Gill slit. (Anat.) See Gill
opening, under Gill.
Slit (?), obs. 3d. pers. sing.
pres. of Slide. Chaucer.
Slit (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Slit or Slitted (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Slitting.] [OE. slitten, fr. sliten,
AS. stītan to tear; akin to D. slijten to wear
out, G. schleissen to slit, split, OHG. slīzan to
split, tear, wear out, Icel. stīta to break, tear, wear
out, Sw. slita, Dan. slide. Cf. Eclat,
Slate, n., Slice.] 1.
To cut lengthwise; to cut into long pieces or strips; as, to
slit iron bars into nail rods; to slit leather into
straps.
2. To cut or make a long fissure in or upon;
as, to slit the ear or the nose.
3. To cut; to sever; to divide.
[Obs.]
And slits the thin-spun life.
Milton.