FromMiddle Englishupsitten(“to sit up”).
situp (third-person singular simple presentsits up,present participlesitting up,simple past and past participlesat up)
- (intransitive) To assume a sitting position from a position lying down.
Despite being cancer-ridden, Lorinsat up to greet the visitors.
1900 May 17,L[yman] Frank Baum,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.:Geo[rge] M[elvin] Hill Co.,→OCLC:She was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe that if Dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed she might have been hurt. As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened; and Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined dismally. Dorothysat up and noticed that the house was not moving; nor was it dark, for the bright sunshine came in at the window, flooding the little room. She sprang from her bed and with Toto at her heels ran and opened the door.
- (intransitive) To sit erect.
Sit up straight, mister!
- (intransitive) To show sudden interest or surprise.
Hesat up when we mentioned the increased pay package.
- (chiefly sports, of the ball) Tobounce, especially to a comfortable height.
2011 January 29, Ian Hughes, “Southampton 1 - 2 Man Utd”, inBBC[1]:And within five minutes of the change United were level. Gabriel Obertan tuned his marker inside out and delivered a cross from the right that hit Hernandez andsat up perfectly for Owen to nod home.
- To not go to bed (notionally remaining in a sitting position).
Isat up all night waiting for her to come home.
- (India, historical) For a young lady to open her house for several successive nights for any visitors who wish to pay their respects.
to rise to a sitting position
situp (pluralsit ups)
- Alternative spelling ofsit-up.
