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Stage 1 of 4
citra
Sanskrit · ancient
"something marked or distinct"
root meaning 'distinctly marked', underlying the later word for a marked note
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Stage 2 of 4
chitthi
Marathi · medieval
"a letter, note, memorandum"
came to mean a written letter or note
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Stage 3 of 4
chitty
Hindi · 1690s
"a short letter or note"
Anglo-Indian traders adopted the word for a signed note or pass
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Stage 4 of 4
chit
English · 1776
"a short official note or voucher"
shortened from 'chitty' in everyday British-Indian use
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