After that a mighty washing of hands took place, to remove the blacking stain; and then the Quarters settled down to a general "titivation," Tam "cleaning his nails for Christmas," amid great applause. ❋ Jeannie Gunn (1915)
In his experience, young ladies on the eve of their first ball were generally late, their attention taken up by last-minute changes of mind, and a great deal of unnecessary titivation. ❋ Unknown (2010)
Jenny had been working at the lap-dancing club for three weeks now, and was getting pretty good at this ultimate in sexual titivation. ❋ Unknown (2007)
So there would seem to be ample precedent for adopting titivation as the word to describe tidying on the go. ❋ Unknown (2004)
They were all intent as artists at a canvas, Jeendan pouting critically at the mirror and directing the maid to touch up the corner of her mouth; then they all stood back to admire the result before making another titivation - and beyond the purdah her army coughed and shuffled and waited and Maka Khan ploughed on. ❋ Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- (1990)
They were all intent as artists at a canvas, Jeendan pouting critically at the mirror and directing the maid to touch up the corner of her mouth; then they all stood back to admire the result before making another titivation — and beyond the purdah her army coughed and shuffled and waited and Maka Khan ploughed on. ❋ Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- (1990)
At any rate, I think the significant thing in France today is the opposition of those who continue to have faith in France's famous logic and those who feel that France's logic was merely a useless form of mental titivation that was impotent before a cannon and what they now need is an authoritative man. ❋ Unknown (1945)
I hope my reply to Fitz may arrive in time to prevent too much titivation. ❋ Ian Hamilton (1900)
Almanack ought to know, though he is given in those days to such ornate and emblazoned titivation of himself outwardly, putting himself in the hands of fair Mistress Kate Greenaway at the head of ❋ Unknown (1897)
It ain't goin 'to consoome a moment, however, -- this yere titivation I plans; an' followin 'said improvements we-all better pull off this play some prompt. ❋ Alfred Henry Lewis (1885)
