Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
inwit. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
inwit, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
inwit in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
inwit you have here. The definition of the word
inwit will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
inwit, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English inwit (“mind, reason, intellect, understanding; soul, spirit; feeling; the collection of inner faculties; one of five inner faculties; one of the outer bodily senses.; inward awareness of right or wrong, conscience”), from Old English *inwitt, inġewitnes (“consciousness, conscience, knowledge, knowing”), equivalent to in- + wit. Compare Scots inwit, Saterland Frisian Gewieten, West Frisian gewisse, Dutch geweten, German Low German Geweten, German Gewissen.
Pronunciation
Noun
inwit (uncountable)
- (archaic) Inward knowledge or understanding.
1990, Midori Snyder, Sadar's Keep, New York: Tom Doherty Associates:"Will it make you happy?" / "Probably not," Kai said irritably. "Inwit tells me that you're trouble from the beginning."
- (obsolete) Conscience; inward sense of morality.
1960, Marcia Davenport, Constant Image:"I knew that was so. Every time that inwit twanged ─ I have conscience like you, reverend sir!"
Derived terms
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Old English *inwitt; equivalent to in- + witt.
Pronunciation
Noun
inwit (uncountable)
- reasoning, mental acuity, brainpower.
- attitude, impression, essence
- A mental process or power
- morality, moral code; judgement
- (rare) plan, intent, purpose.
Descendants
References
Old High German
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *inwidją (“malice, wickedness”). Cognate with Old Saxon inwid (“fraud”), Old English inwid, Old Norse ívið (“deceit, evil”) (attested in compound íviðgjarn). Further root-related to Old Norse íviðja (“malicious female being(?)”). (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.).
Noun
inwit n
- deceit, cunning, craftiness