MITTEN  , a covering for the

hand, with a division for the thumb only, and reaching to the lower joint of the fingers; it is made of silk, lace, wool or other material . The word is of obscure origin; it has been connected with Ger. mitte, middle, half, in the sense of that which half covers the hand . There are several Celtic words which may be cognate, e.g . Irish miotag, mutan, a thick glove, mitten, such as is worn by hedgers and ditchers . The 16th-century French word miton meant a gauntlet . A fine mitten made of lace or open network and extending well up the forearm was much worn by ladies in the early part of the 19th century, and has been fashionable at various times since that date .