wit 1
/wit/ , n.
1. the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.
2. speech or writing showing such perception and expression.
3. a person having or noted for such perception and expression.
4. understanding, intelligence, or sagacity; astuteness.
5. Usually, wits .
a. powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness: using one's wits to get ahead.
b. mental faculties; senses: to lose one's wits.
6. at one's wit's end . See end 1 (def. 23).
7. keep or have one's wits about one , to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything: to keep your wits about you in a crisis.
8. live by one's wits , to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously: We traveled around the world, living by our wits.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE: mind, thought; c. G Witz, ON vit; akin to WIT 2 ]
Syn. 1. drollery, facetiousness, waggishness, repartee. See humor. 4. wisdom, sense, mind.
wit 2
/wit/ , v.t., v.i., pres. sing. 1st pers. wot , 2nd wost , 3rd wot , pres. pl. wit or wite; past and past part. wist; pres. part. witting .
1. Archaic. to know.
2. to wit , that is to say; namely: It was the time of the vernal equinox, to wit, the beginning of spring.
[ bef. 900; ME witen, OE witan; c. D weten, G wissen, ON vita, Goth witan to know; akin to L videre, Gk ideîn to see, Skt vidati (he) knows. See WOT ]