light-witted

English

Alternative forms

• lightwitted

Etymology

From Middle English light-witted, from light (adjective) +‎ witted (“having intelligence or understanding”, adjective), from the noun wit. See more at light, wit, -ed.

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: lītʹwĭt'(ĭ)d
• Hyphenation: light-wit‧ted

Adjective

light-witted (comparative lighter-witted or more light-witted, superlative lightest-witted or most light-witted)

1. Having a feeble or weak intellect.
   • 1569, Richard Grafton, “Henrye the Sixt”, in A Chronicle at Large and Meere History of the Affayres of Englande […], volume II, London: […] Henry Denham, […], for Richarde Tottle and Humffrey Toye, →OCLC, page 630:

     When the Maior of the Citie, the two Dukes, and the two chiefe Juſtices, were ſet in Guyldhall for the performance of their commiſſion, and began to call the empanels for the enquirie, as the vſe and other is, diuers light witted, and leſſe brayned perſons of the citie, priuely armed them, and by the ringing of Bow bell, thought to aſſemble together a great multitude of their minde and opinion, and ſo by force and might to take from the kepers all ſuch priſoners, as were before apprehended, for the late committed robbery and riot, as they were goyng to their triall or arreignment.