wantwit

wantwit

English

Etymology

From Middle English wanten wit (“to want wit”).

Noun

wantwit (plural wantwits)

1. A person wanting or lacking wit or sense; a fool.
   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act I scene i:

     […] And such a wantwit sadness makes of me,

     That I have much ado to know myself.

   • 2017, Minette Walters, The Last Hours, →ISBN, page 357:

     'Wantwit! Clod-brain! Numbskull!' he shouted, straddling her midriff and pummelling her face and chest with his fists.