Dictionary

wantwit en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English wanten wit, equivalent to want + wit.

Meanings

1. A person wanting or lacking wit or sense; a fool.
   • […] and ſuch a Want-wit ſadnesse makes of mee, That I haue much ado to know my ſelfe. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 163, column 1:
   • 'Wantwit! Clod-brain! Numbskull!' he shouted, straddling her midriff and pummelling her face and chest with his fists. 2017, Minette Walters, The Last Hours, →ISBN, page 357:

Forms