witless

English

Etymology

From Middle English witles, from Old English witlēas (“senseless; witless”), from Proto-Germanic *witjalausaz (“witless”), equivalent to wit +‎ -less. Cognate with Swedish vettlös (“senseless; witless; wild”), Icelandic vitlaus (“senseless; witless; foolish; mad”).

Adjective

witless (comparative more witless, superlative most witless)

Lacking wit or understanding
indiscreet; not using clear and sound judgment.

Usage notes

This term is frequently found in phrases such as scared witless, witless with fear, and so on.

Antonyms

witful

Derived terms

witlessly
witlessness

Translations

Without wit or understanding

Catalan: desentenimentat
Finnish: järjetön (fi), älytön (fi)
French: stupide (fr)

German: hirnlos (de), (formally) geistfrei n
Persian: بی‌خرد‎ (bi-xerad)

References

witless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

Wiltses, twissel