wit
/wɪt; wɪt/ n
1
(a) [U] ability to combine words, ideas, etc so as to produce a clever type of humour 用措辞、 构想等产生巧妙幽默的能力
have a ready wit 随时能说俏皮话的
a journalist much admired for her wit 因机智幽默而备受敬重的女新闻工作者
a literary style full of elegance and wit 涉笔典雅风趣的文学风格.
(b) [C] person who has or is famous for this; witty person 才思敏捷言语诙谐的人; 机智幽默的人
a well-known wit and raconteur 一个有名的妙语如珠会讲故事的人.
2 [U] (also wits [pl]) quick understanding; intelligence 悟性; 智慧; 理解力; 智力
He hadn't the wits/wit enough to realize the danger. 他悟性差, 没有意识到存在的危险.
3 (idm 习语) at one's wits' `end not knowing what to do or say because of worry or desperation 智尽能索; 张皇失措
I'm at my wits' end worrying about how to pay the bills. 我怎样付清这些帐, 完全没有主意. a battle of wits => battle. collect/gather one's `wits become calm again after an unexpected shock, etc so that one can think clearly 镇定下来, 恢复理智
I needed time to gather my wits before seeing him again. 我需要先镇定一下才能再次见他. frighten/scare sb out of his `wits => frighten. have/keep one's `wits about one be/remain alert and ready to act 时刻警惕; 随机应变
You need to keep your wits about you when you're dealing with a man like that. 同那种人打交道得随机应变. live by one's wits => live2. sharpen sb's wits => sharpen (sharp). to `wit (dated fml 旧, 文) that is to say; namely 也就是说; 即
He will leave at the end of term, to wit 30 July. 他要在期末离开, 也就是7月30日. ,wit and `wisdom combination of quick intelligence, good judgement and learning, esp in a writer or speaker 才思（尤指作家或演说家的）.