Pronunciation: [fˈɪtəst] (IPA) 
The word "fittest" is spelled with a double "t" in the middle. This is because the stress in the word falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced with a short "i" followed by a "t" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is written as /ˈfɪtəst/, with the stress mark before the "ti" in the middle. The "e" at the end of the word is silent, so the final sound is simply the "st" consonant blend.
Fittest is an adjective that refers to being the most suitable, appropriate, or well-suited for a particular purpose or context. It is derived from the adjective "fit" which means to be in a good physical condition or possess the necessary qualities or abilities to perform a given task.
In the context of evolutionary biology, fit or fitness is often used to describe an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. The fittest individuals are the ones that are best adapted to their surroundings, allowing them to successfully pass on their genes to the next generation. This concept is central to the theory of natural selection, as proposed by Charles Darwin.
In a broader sense, fittest can also refer to qualities beyond physical fitness, encompassing mental, emotional, or intellectual aptitude. It implies being exceptionally well-suited or having a superior ability to handle specific challenges or circumstances.
Additionally, the term fittest can be used metaphorically to describe the most suitable or effective option among various choices or alternatives. For instance, in a competitive business environment, the fittest company may be the one that successfully adapts to changes and outperforms its rivals.
Overall, the concept of fittest embodies the idea of being the most capable, adaptable, or well-matched for a given situation or purpose, whether it relates to biological fitness, cognitive abilities, or general suitability.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fittest" is the superlative form of the adjective "fit". The etymology of "fit" traces back to Old English and Old Norse origins.
In Old English, "fit" was "fitt", which meant "a period or struggle". It derived from the Old Norse word "fit", which had a similar meaning of "a tremendous pace or struggle".
Over time, "fit" evolved in meaning, and by the 17th century, it began to refer to physical condition and suitability. The term "fittest" emerged as a superlative form of "fit" to describe the organism or individual with the highest level of physical condition, adaptability, or overall suitability.
