wit¹

  • noun 1 (also wits) the capacity for inventive thought and quick understanding; keen intelligence. 2 a natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humour. 3 a person with this aptitude.

  — PHRASES be at one’s wits’ end be completely at a loss as to what to do. be frightened out of one’s wits be extremely frightened. gather one’s wits allow oneself to think calmly and clearly in a demanding situation. have (or keep) one’s wits about one be constantly alert. live by one’s wits earn money by clever and sometimes dishonest means.

  — DERIVATIVES witted adjective.

  — ORIGIN Old English, related to WIT².

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