Dictionary

wist en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /wɪst/

Etymology

Past indicative of wit: from Old English witan, from Proto-Germanic *witaną, from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“see, know”). Cognate with Dutch weten, German wissen, Swedish veta, and Latin videō (“to see”). Compare guide.

Meanings

1. (archaic, form-of, participle, past) simple past and past participle of wit.
   form of wit
   • Did the maledicent Bodyguard, getting (as was too inevitable) better malediction than he gave, load his musketoon, and threaten to fire; and actually fire? Were wise who wist! 1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, →OCLC, (please specify the book or page number):
   • a'''1796, Robert Burns, "Bonie Jean: A Ballad", in Poems and Songs, P.F. Collier & Son (1909–14), Bartleby.com (2001), http://www.bartleby.com/6/419.html, And lang ere witless Jeanie wist, / Her heart was tint, her peace was stown!

wist en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /wɪst/

Etymology

A misunderstanding, or a joking use of the past indicative of wit; see Etymology 1.

Meanings

1. (nonstandard, qualifier:pseudo-archaic) To know, be aware of.
   • […] speak to the man, and he wists not that his face doth shine. 1890, Joseph Parker, The People's Bible: The Psalter, page 218:

Forms