bilewit

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Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From a conflation of Old English bilewit (innocent, simple) and bilehwīt (simple, honest, sincere).

Adjective

bilewit

  1. simple, innocent

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *biliwit- (gentle-minded), from Proto-Germanic *biliz (merciful, kind) (from Proto-Indo-European *bhil- (decent, good)) + Proto-Germanic *witją (mind, wit) (from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (to know)), equivalent to Old English bile- + witt. Related to Middle High German bilwiz (genius, mischievous person, goblin, witch), unbil (unbecoming, improper).

Pronunciation

Adjective

bilewit

  1. innocent, simple
  2. calm, gentle
  3. merciful, gracious
  4. plausible

Declension

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Middle English: bilewit