† wanwit Obs. (Chiefly Sc.)
Also 4 uanwite, 4–5 wane-wit, -wyt.
[ME. f. wan- + wit n. Cf. G. wahnwitz, Sw. vanvett, Da. vanvid, Norw. vanvit.]
Lack of wit, foolishness.
| a 1400 Symb. Passion 72 in Leg. Rood 180 Schild me from pein of helle pit Þat i haue deseruud þorow uan-wite. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. vi. Prol. 48 Giff it war wilfully forȝhet, It walde be repute vnkyndnes, Wanwit, or þan reklessnes. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 300 Prodigalitee..cummys of grete foly and wan witt. a 1500 Ratis Raving, etc. 565 It is better a pur wys barne na an auld fule kinge, quhilk fore wane-wyt may perys a realme. a 1500 Bernard. de cura rei fam. i. 400 Thar moderis þan desyris mariage Quhilk is wanwyt and foly in þar age. |
Hence † wanwitty a. Obs., foolish.
| a 1500 Ratis Raving, etc. 454 Fulys and wanwitty men. |