First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wit
verb \ˈwit\
wist \ˈwist\ wit·ting present 1st & 3d singular wot \ˈwät\
Definition of WIT
1
archaic : know
2
archaic : to come to know : learn
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Origin of WIT
Middle English witen (1st & 3d singular present wot, past wiste), from Old English witan (1st & 3d singular present wāt, past wisse, wiste); akin to Old High German wizzan to know, Latin vidēre to see, Greek eidenai to know, idein to see
2wit
noun
: an ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny
: a person who is known for making clever and funny remarks
wits : the ability to think or reason
Full Definition of WIT
1
a : mind, memory b : reasoning power : intelligence
2
3
a : astuteness of perception or judgment : acumen b : the ability to relate seemingly disparate things so as to illuminate or amuse c (1) : a talent for banter or persiflage (2) : a witty utterance or exchange d : clever or apt humor
4
a : a person of superior intellect : thinker b : an imaginatively perceptive and articulate individual especially skilled in banter or persiflage
— at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end
: at a loss for a means of solving a problem
See wit defined for English-language learners
Origin of WIT
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wizzi knowledge, Old English witan to know
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to WIT
Synonym Discussion of WIT
wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous <a playful wit>. humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness <a sense of humor>. irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed <the irony of the title>. sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound <given to heartless sarcasm>. satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature <a satire on the Congress>. repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily <a dinner guest noted for repartee>.
Other Psychology Terms
WIT Defined for Kids
wit
noun \ˈwit\
Definition of WIT for Kids
1
: normal mental state —usually used in pl. <He scared me out of my wits.>
2
: power to think, reason, or decide <He had the wit to leave.> <The chess player matched wits with a computer.>
3
: clever and amusing comments, expressions, or talk
4
: a talent for making clever and usually amusing comments
5
: a person with a talent for making clever and amusing comments
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