wit : Idioms & Phrases

Index

after-wit

Aft"er-wit` noun
Definitions
  1. Wisdom or perception that comes after it can be of use. "After-wit comes too late when the mischief is done." L'Estrange.
Webster 1913

Attic salt, Attic wit

  • a poignant, delicate wit, peculiar to the Athenians.
Webster 1913

battle of wits

  • noun a contest in which intelligence rather than violence is used
WordNet

half-wit

  • noun a person of subnormal intelligence
    retard; idiot; imbecile; changeling; moron; cretin.
  • noun a stupid incompetent person
    nitwit; dimwit; doofus.
WordNet
Half"-wit` noun
Definitions
  1. A foolish; a dolt; a blockhead; a dunce. Dryden.
Webster 1913

Mother wit

  • noun sound practical judgment
    gumption; horse sense; good sense; sense; common sense.
    • Common sense is not so common
    • he hasn't got the sense God gave little green apples
    • fortunately she had the good sense to run away
WordNet
  • natural or native wit or intelligence.
Webster 1913

The five wits

  • the five senses; also, sometimes, the five qualities or faculties, common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, and memory.
Webster 1913

To rack one's brains ∨ wits

  • to exert them to the utmost for the purpose of accomplishing something.
Webster 1913

To wit

  • adverb as follows
    videlicet; namely; viz.; that is to say.
WordNet
  • to know; namely. See Wit, v. i.
Webster 1913

wit-cracker

Wit"-crack`er noun
Definitions
  1. One who breaks jests; a joker. Obs. Shak.
Webster 1913

wit-snapper

Wit"-snap`per noun
Definitions
  1. One who affects repartee; a wit-cracker. Obs. Shak.
Webster 1913

wit-starved

Wit"-starved` adjective
Definitions
  1. Barren of wit; destitute of genius. Examiner.
Webster 1913