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wit1 definition

wit (wit)

noun

  1. Obsolete the mind
    1. powers of thinking and reasoning; intellectual and perceptive powers
    2. mental faculties with respect to their state of balance, esp. in their normal condition of sanity
  3. alert, practical intelligence; good sense
    1. the ability to make lively, clever remarks in a sharp, amusing way
    2. the ability to perceive incongruous relationships and express them in a surprising or epigrammatic manner
    3. a person characterized by wit
    4. writing or speech expressing wit; esp., any clever disparagement or raillery
  5. Archaic intellect; reason

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger witz: for IE base see wise

wit Idioms

at one's wits' end

at a point where one's mental resources are exhausted; at a loss as to what to do

keep one's wits about one

or have one's wits about one
to remain mentally alert; function with undiminished acumen, as in an emergency

live by one's wits

to live by trickery or craftiness
wit2 definition

wit (wit)

transitive verb, intransitive verb wist, witting wit′·ting

Archaic to know or learn: wit is conjugated in the present indicative: (I) wot, (thou) wost or wot(t)est, (he, she, it) wot or wot(t)eth, (we, ye, they) wite or witen

Etymology: ME witen < OE witan, to know: see wise

wit Idioms

to wit

that is to say; namely

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms wit idiom

wit Synonyms

wit

n.

  1. Clever humor

    humor, wittiness, smartness, whimsicality, jocularity, pleasantry, drollery, waggery, banter, burlesque; see also humor 1.

  2. An example of wit, sense 1

    satire, irony, badinage, witticism, sally, whimsy, repartee, bon mot, joke, aphorism, jest, quip, epigram, pun, wisecrack*, gag*. *

  3. One who possesses wit, sense 1

    humorist, punster, epigrammatist, comedian, banterer, clever fellow, life of the party, wag, wisecracker*, wise guy*.

wit refers to the ability to perceive the incongruous and to express it in quick, sharp, spontaneous, often sarcastic remarks that delight or entertain; humor is applied to the ability to perceive and express that which is comical, ludicrous, or ridiculous, but connotes kindliness, geniality, sometimes even pathos, in the expression and a reaction of sympathetic amusement from the audience; irony refers to the humor implicit in the contradiction between literal expression and intended meaning or in the discrepancy between appearance and reality in life; satire applies to the use, especially in literature, of ridicule, sarcasm, irony, etc. in exposing and attacking vices or follies; repartee refers to the ability to reply or retort with quick, skillful wit or humor

at one's wits' end

downhearted, desperate, at a loss, helpless; see hopeless 2, troubled 1.

have<strong> or </strong>keep one's wits about one

be ready, be alert, take precautions, be on one's guard, keep one's cool*; see also watch out 2.

live by one's wits

use sharp practices, live dangerously, take advantage of all opportunities; see prosper, trick.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

wit Usage Examples

Object

  • u: I would love to know wot u think as 2 why it has been rated that high.

Converse of object

  • self-deprecate: We moan with merriment, with purpose, with self-deprecating wit.

Preposition: as

  • expert: America line's luxurious a place to wit as experts planned by the.

Adjective modifier

  • acerbic: Roddy Renfrew started the ball rolling with a set of gentle, tho occasionally more acerbic, wit.

Modifies a noun

  • h: You will have regular meetings with them to discuss your progress and help you wit h any issues connected with your studies.

Noun used with modifier

  • rapier: This was, once again, treated like rapier wit.

Possessives

  • end: We were at our wits ' end, not knowing what was wrong with him.
wit usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

wit quotes

In all thy humours, whether grave or mellow, Thou'rt such a touchy, testy, pleasant fellow; Hast so much wit, and mirth, and spleen about thee, There is no living with thee, nor without thee.

-Addison,Joseph

In youth open your mind, And let all learning in; Words the head does not shape Are worthless, out and in. Words wit has not salted,No nearer the heart than the lip, Are nothing more than wind, A puppy's insolent yelp.

-Anonymous

   My Love in her attire doth show her wit, It doth so well become her; For every season she hath dressings fit, For winter, spring, and summer. No beauty she doth miss When all her robes are on; But beauty's self she is When all her robes are gone.

-Anonymous

wit quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
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