See Also: witty(dictionary)
witty(dictionary)

witty (iou)



witty adjective.

Having wisdom; wise, having good judgement; prudent, sensible. OE-E17.
Intelligent, clever; skilful, expert, capable. Now arch. & dial. OE.
R. Eden In workemanship and artes they are marueylous wyttie.
b. Crafty, cunning, artful. Also, foolishly ingenious in devising something harmful to oneself. LME-E18.
T. Herbert As simple as they seeme, they are witty enough in craft, revenge, and villany.
Orig., endowed with reason, rational. Later, in full possession of one's wits, of sound mind. rare. OE-L17.
Showing or demanding intellectual ability. Later (esp. of discourse), ingenious or subtle in conception or expression. LME-E18.
J. Locke The Fallacies that are often concealed in florid, witty or involved Discourses.
b. Skilfully devised for an evil purpose. Only in 17.
Showing or originating from good judgement or discernment. LME-E18.
Capable of or given to saying or writing sparklingly clever and amusing things; fond of making witticisms. L16.
R. S. Woolhouse Bacon was obviously an entertaining, civil, and witty personal companion.
b. Sharply critical, censorious, sarcastic. E17-M18.
Esp. of speech or writing: characterized by or full of clever and sparkling humour; cleverly amusing. L16.
S. Townsend There was no witty repartee..not a single hilarious anecdote was told. Guardian Courting the buyers with ever more witty, young and charming variations on the Chanel look.
wittiness noun LME.