wantwit

English

Etymology

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

Noun

wantwit (plural wantwits)

  1. A person wanting or lacking wit or sense; a fool.
    • 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:
      […] and ſuch a Want-wit ſadnesse makes of mee,
      That I haue much ado to know my ſelfe.
    • 2017, Minette Walters, The Last Hours, →ISBN, page 357:
      'Wantwit! Clod-brain! Numbskull!' he shouted, straddling her midriff and pummelling her face and chest with his fists.
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