Wit v.1. World English Historical Dictionary

Wit v.1. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1928, rev. 2024. Wit v.1 arch. exc. in legal use: see 10 c (b). Pres. t. wot (Sc. and north. dial. wat); pa. t, and pple. wist. Forms: see below. [A Com. Teut. preterite-present verb: OE. witan, 1st and 3rd sing. pres. ind. wát, 2nd pers. wást, pl. witon, pa. t. wisse, wiste, pa. pple. ʓewiten, OFris. wita, wêt, *wast, *witon, witen and witath, wiste (mod. Fris. dialects have various analogical forms, e.g., pa. pple. wist, wust), OS. witan, wêt, wêst, witun, wissa (MLG., MDu. wêten, weet, weets, weten, wiste, gheweten, LG., Du. weten), OHG. wiȥȥan, wiȥan, weiȥ, wiȥ(ȥ)umês, wiȥ(ȥ)un, wissa, wista, (gi)wiȥan (MHG. wiȥȥen, weiȥ, wiȥȥen, wisse, wiste, wesse, weste, wuste, gewiȥȥen, gewist, G. wissen, weiss, weisst, wissen, wusste, gewusst), ON. vita, veit, veizt, vitum, vissa, vitaðr, (Sw. veta, vet, visste, vetat, Da. vide, ved, vidste, vidst), Goth. witan, wait, waist, witum, wissa: f. OTeut. wait-, wīt-:—Indo-Eur. woid-, weid-, wid- to see (? orig. to find), also found in OE. adj. wis (see WIS sb.), WISE sb.1, WISE a., WITE.

1   The OE. preterite-pres. wát, wást, witon, and their equivalents in the other Germanic langs. (= properly, I have seen, hence, I know), correspond to Skr. véda, véttha, vidmá, Gr. οἶδα, οἶδθα, οἶδε, ἴδμεν (ἴσμεν), OSl. vĕdĕ, vĕsi, etc., OPruss. 2nd sing. waisei, 1st pl. waidimai, and are based on Indo-Eur. woid-, wid-. OE. 2nd pers. sing. wást (see A. 2 b below) is an altered form of *wás by analogy with meaht (2nd sing. pres. of MAY v.1). Similarly OE. wiste is an altered form of earlier wisse after regular weak forms in -te.

2   Indo-Eur. woid-, weid-, wid- is represented also by Skr. veda knowledge (see VEDA), vitta- known, vittá- found, Gr. εἶδος appearance, shape, ἰδέα form, εἶδον (:—*ἐϝιδον) I saw, ἀκίδελος invisible, εἰδέναι to know, ἰδεῖν to see, ἄιστος unseen, unknown, L. vidēre to see, OIr. fiad ‘coram,’ fiadu witness, adfiadat they relate, rofetar I know, fiss knowledge, W. gwydd presence, gwyddom we know, OSl. vidĕti to see, vĕdĕti to know, Lith. véidas face, Arm. gitem. I know, egit he found; and (with nasal infix) Skr. vindáti finds, Gr. ἰνδάλλεσθαι to appear, OIr. finnaim I find out.

3   The original conjugation, typically represented by to wit or wete, pres. I and he wot, thou wost, we, ye, and they wite, pa. t. wist, pa. pple. witen, presented many apparent anomalies, and various attempts at normalization were made by means of analogical formations and irregular extension of the use of certain forms, with the result that new infinitive and present-stem forms came into existence which it is necessary to treat separately: see WIS v.1, WIST v., WOT v., and the archaistic WEET v.1 (For forms combined with prefixed negative ne see NETE, NIST, NITEN, NOST, NOR v.2, NUTE.)]

4   A.  Inflexional Forms.

5   1.  Infinitive. α1. 1 witan (witenne, -an(n)e, -on(n)e), 3–5 witen, 3–5 wyten, wite, 4–5 wytene, (whyte, wiet), 4–6 wyt(e, wytte, witte, Sc. vit, (1 wiotan, wietan, Northumb. wuta, 3 witene, Orm. witenn, 4 witin, witten, wijt, wyete, Sc. vyt, -e, 5 wiete, whitte), 4–7 witt, 5–6 wytt, 4– wit. α2. 4–6 wet, wette, (4 Sc. vet), 5 wetten. β. 4–5 wetyn, 4–6 weit(e, 4–7 wete, 5 weten(e, 5–7 weete, (8–9 arch.) weet, (6 arch. weeten). (See also WEET v.1, WOT.)

6   α1  c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., vii. § 1. Ʒif þu þonne heora þeawas witan wilt. Ibid. (c. 897), Gregory’s Past. C., Pref. 7. Ða ðe niedbeðearfosta sien eallum monnum to wiotonne. Ibid., xv. 92. Mare to wietenne ðonne eow ðearf sie.

7 c. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 1050 (MS. D). Hit is earfoð to witane þara biscopa þe þærtocomon.

8 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 9. Ȝef … me hit mihte witen.

9 c. 1205.  Lay., 26607. Heo wolden wite þat soðe of Walwain.

10 c. 1290.  St. Clement, 128, in S. Eng. Leg., 326. He wilnede muche to wyten of god.

11 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8301. Þou sal wijt on quatkin wise [etc.].

12 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3763. Na man … may wytte Whether [etc.].

13 1340.  Ayenb., 1. Þet is to wytene.

14 13[?].  Cursor M., 12204 (Gött.). Hu sal he witt quat tav mai be? Ibid., 19779 (Edin.). Þat petir moȝte witte quat sco were. Ibid., 23635. If þai oht mai witin [v.r. witten] þar.

15 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 131. Vch wyȝe may wel wit.

16 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 27. Þat þou miht wyte … whuche þei ben.

17 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xix. (Cristofore), 401. Gyf þu vit wil myn cunctre.

18 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 1367. To whyte what hure wille were.

19 a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 420. Late hyme wiet … I salle … take leue.

20 1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 4492. To wyten whether … Myn hamer hem touchyd.

21 c. 1450.  Merlin, 82. She wolde gladly witen what a-mendes the kynge wolde do.

22 1475[?].  Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 156. I lett you whitte I am grette with the Kyng.

23 c. 1500.  Three Kings’ Sons, 168. There be none … but wold be glad to wite me do wele.

24 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxiii. 8. One ys youre master, that is to wytt Christ.

25 1533.  Gau, Richt Vay (S.T.S.), 55. Desir notht to vit.

26 1577.  Fulke, Confut. Purg., 393. You must witte.

27 1580.  wytte [see β. 1531].

28 1628.  Digby, Voy. Mediterr. (Camden), 31. To witt.

29 1795.  wit [see B. 3 c].

30   α2  13[?].  Cursor M., 22556 (Edin.). Quen nan sal wet quar þam to nest.

31 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xviii. (Egipciane), 404. God has send me … Þi lyfe, þe stat, al hal to vet.

32 a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 948. To wette of the warlawe, whare that he lengez.

33 c. 1460.  Play Sacram., 188, in Non-Cycle Myst. Pl., 63. Off yower welfare fayn wet wold we.

34 1520.  Sir R. Gresham, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 234. Yt may pleasse your Grace to wette I have [etc.].

35   β.  a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1875 (Cott.). How sal we o þis waters weit [Fairf. wete] Quedir þai be fulli fallen yeit?

36 13[?].  Northern Passion (MS. I), 648 a. Wele maye we alle wetyn and se Þat it myghte neuyr so be.

37 c. 1400.  Anturs Arth., 237 (Douce MS.). Yit wetene I wolde What wrathede god moste.

38 c. 1400.  Melayne, 120. He dose þe wele to weite.

39 c. 1425.  Noah’s Ark, 131, in Non-Cycle Myst. Pl., 23. How Thou shalt weet all his will.

40 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 531/1. Wytyn’, or wetyn’, or knowyn’.

41 1475.  Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 130. It pleasyd yow to weete of myn heele.

42 1531.  Elyot, Gov., I. ix. Lettinge you weete [ed. 1580 wytte] that we haue a sonne borne.

43 1596.  weeten [see B. 10 c (b)].

44 1600.  weete [see B. 9 b].

45 1610.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 121. You shall … do the Maior … to wete thereof.

46 1728, 1819.  weet [see B. 10 c (a)].

47   2.  Indicative present. a. 1st and 3rd pers. sing. α. 1–6 (8–9 Sc.) wat, 1, 4–6 watt, (1 uat, 1, 3 wæt, 3 what, waht, 4 north. waite, weyte, quat, -e, Sc. vat), 4–5 watte, 4–7 (8 Sc.) wate, 5–9 Sc. and n. dial. wait (6 vait). β. 3–9 wot, (3 wod, 4 woth), 4–5 woot, (whot, 5 whotte, wout), 4–6, 8 wote, 5–6 woote, wotte, 5–7 wott. Also in 1st pers. combined with prefixed pronoun (ichot, chote): see I pron. A. β2 and CH pron.

48   α.  c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John viii. 55. Ic … conn vel wat [c. 975 Rushw. Gosp. watt] hine.

49 c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues, 21. He hit wat ðe wat alle þing.

50 c. 1205.  Lay., 7262. Wel ich hit wæt what Bruttis wæs. Ibid., 28088. Ich what … agan is al mi blisse.

51 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5060. Mi fader … fars well, i watte. Ibid. (13[?]), 12219 (Gött.). Fire i quat him mai noght brin.

52 13[?].  Northern Passion (Camb. Gg. 5. 31), 356. I hafe done I ne wate what. Ibid., 1654. Onone pilate a lettyr he wrate, So says saynt Iohne þat wele wayte.

53 c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., cxviii. 1987 (MS. W.). Quheþer it sa were … I wait nocht.

54 1583.  Leg. Bp. St. Androis, 172. I watt now what the propheit menis.

55 1615.  Brathwait, Strappado (1878), 129. Wele I wate.

56 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 25. And that’s an unco faut I wate.

57 1785.  Burns, Halloween, xii. I wat she made nae jaukin.

58 1825.  Brockett, N. C. Gloss., Wait, wot.

59   β.  a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 52. Þeo … wot betere þen ich wot.

60 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1190. Ich … wod al þat to kumen is.

61 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8298. Wil i wote al þi yerning. Ibid. (13[?]), 2378 (Gött.). His catel wele i woth [Trin. I woot].

62 13[?].  Guy Warw. (A.), 590. Ichot for soþe he wil me sle.

63 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 77. No prelat whot where he schal be dampnyd.

64 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1359, Dido. Wel I woot hit is al in vayne.

65 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 11359. I wotte hit full wele.

66 1426.  Audelay, Poems, 15. He whot never hou sone God wyl here his bone.

67 1526.  Tindale, Luke xvi. 4. I woote what to do.

68 1600.  Holland, Livy, I. i. Neither wote I well, nor if I wist, dare I advouch.

69 1775.  J. Tait, Land of Liberty, I. xlv. 23. Here oft, I wote, dame Ignorance was seen.

70 1862.  H. A. Kennedy, Waifs & Strays, 137. I well wot.

71   b.  2nd pers. sing. α. 1–4 wast, (1 wæst, uast, 3 Orm. wasst), 3–5 wost, 4–5 woost, woste. Also combined with foll. pron.: 1 wastu, 3 wostu, 4–5 wostow(e. β. See WOT v. γ. 4 Sc. vittis.

72   α.  a. 900.  Andreas, 1186. Wæst þe bæles cwealm hatne in helle?

73 c. 975.  Rushw. Gosp., John iii. 8. Ne wastu hwona cymeð & hwider gað.

74 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John xiii. 7. Þu nast nu þæt ic do, ac þu wast syððan.

75 c. 1205.  Lay., 15836. Nu þu hit wost.

76 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 716. Wostu to wan man was ibore?

77 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25477. Vnworthi am i, wel þou wast.

78 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 79. Þou woost wel þat Fariseis … ben sclaundrid.

79 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6075. I bidde thee teche hem, wostowe howe.

80 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 124/2. Thou woste not what thou sayest.

81   γ.  c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (Andreas), 508. Bot-gyf þu will hertly trow, Þu vittis nocht þu speris now [nunquam tu ad imaginem hujus veritatis attinges].

82   c.  Plural. α1. 1 witon, weotan, uutu(n, -on, wut(t)on, 2 witan, 2–5 witen (3 Orm. -enn, wuten), 3–5 wyten (3 wuyten, 4 whiten, 5 wittin); 3–5 wite, 4 witte, 5 wyte, wytte; 4 weten, -in, 5 wet, weet, wete. α2. 1 wutaþ, witaþ, witteð, wutas, 3 wutez, 3–4 wuteþ, 3–5 witeþ (4 -yþ, wyteþ, wteþ, wites, 5 whiteþ, wittis; 5 weteþ, -iþ, -yþ). β. See WOT v.

83   α1.  c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., II. v. We weotan þæt we þæs þearfe nabbað.

84 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt xx. 22. Ne uutuʓe huæt ʓe ʓiwas.

85 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John xvi. 30. Nu we witon þæt þu wast ealle ðing.

86 1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud), Introd. 3. We witan oþer eʓland.

87 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 19. Nusten heo nawiht swa muchel of him swa we witen.

88 c. 1200.  Ormin, 7932. Þatt witenn menn inoȝhe.

89 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 161. Hie wuten … wuderward hie sullen weie holden.

90 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 390. Adam and eue it wite ful ȝare.

91 c. 1275.  Passion our Lord, 261, in O. E. Misc., 44. Hwat ich to heom seyde, wel wyten heo.

92 c. 1290.  Beket, 1025, in S. Eng. Leg., 136. Ȝe wuyten wel.

93 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 77. Siþ prelatis witte not where here preiere be acceptable.

94 1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, I. viii. (Skeat), l. 80. Ye weten wel … that … I defouled never my conscience.

95 c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, iii. 101. Lordis wet neuere what comouns greues.

96 c. 1400.  Pride of Life, 483, in Non-Cycle Myst. Pl., 104. Ȝe wittin wel þat he is king.

97 1402.  Jack Upland, in Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 17. These wretches weet never where to been.

98 1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 5528. Ye wyte wel.

99   α2.  c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Mark ii. 10. Þætte … wutað [Rushw. witaþ] ʓie ðætte he mæht hæfeð sunu monnes. Ibid., x. 41. Scitis, wutasʓie [c. 1000 Ags. Gosp. wite ʓe]. Ibid., Luke xxi. 30. Willeð [Rushw. wutað] ʓie þætte neh is ðe summer.

100 c. 975.  Rushw. Gosp., John iv. 22. We worðiʓað þætte we wutun.

101 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 252. To wel we hit wuteð.

102 c. 1290.  Beket, 1005, in S. Eng. Leg., 135. Wel we wutez.

103 a. 1300.  Leg. Rood, 18. As ȝe witeþ wel.

104 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, iv. 4. Ȝe seke vanytes: and wites that it is vayne that ȝe luf.

105 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 89. Men wityþ neuere what it meneþ.

106 a. 1400–40.  R. Glouc. Chron. (Rolls), 122. Ȝe wyteþ [v.rr. weteþ, wetyth, whiteþ].

107 1409.  in Exch. Rolls Scot., IV. Pref. 209. Gif ony of the foresaide lordis wittis … ony maner of grefe … apperand til other.

108   3.  Subjunctive Present. 1–5 wite (pl. witen), (1 wiete, Northumb. witto, -e, -u, 3 wute, 4 wijt, witte, vit), 4–5 wyt, 4–6 wit, wyte, wete, 5 weete.

109 c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxviii. 191. Sua sua hie selfe wieten … ðæt hi hit for Gode don.

110 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Luke i. 18. Unde hoc sciam, huona ðis witto?

111 c. 1000.  Rule St. Benet (1888), 16. He wite þæt he … iarcie hine to ʓescead aʓeldenne.

112 c. 1200.  Ormin, 5710. Þatt tu ne wite nan.

113 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 250. God hit wute & he hit wot.

114 13[?].  in Sir W. Pole, Old Evid. (? 1840), 1. Vit alle men þat þis skrite heris and ses.

115 1340.  Ayenb., 5. Þis boc is ywrite uor englisse men, þet hi wyte hou hi ssolle ham-zelue ssriue.

116 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 372. Wete lordis well þat [etc.].

117 c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 644. It is good that we witen what men they be.

118 a. 1425.  Cursor M., 14348 (Trin.). I wol þat alle witen.

119 1447.  Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 33. I wil ye wete Two precyous relykys I her have wyth me.

120 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VI. viii. 195. I wyl that thou wete and knowe that I am Launcelot du lake.

121 1545.  Ascham, Toxoph., II. (Arb.), 145. Awaye or a man wite.

122 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., VIII. (S.T.S.), II. 104. To defend him selfe, that … tha steil him nocht doune or he wit.

123   4.  Past tense (indic. and subj.). α. 1 wisse, 1–6 wiste, (1, 3 Orm. wisste), 3–6 wyste, 4–6 wyst, (4 wijst, Sc. viste, 4–6 Sc. vist, vyst, 5 wysste), 4– wist. Also in 3rd pers. pl. combined with foll. pron. 4 wistey, wystey. β. 1 pl. westan, 4–6 west (4–5 weste), 6 Sc. weist. γ. 1 wyste, 3–5 wuste, (3 wste), 4–6 wust. δ. 4–5 wost(e. ε. 4 Sc. wyttyt.

124   α.  Beowulf, 181. Ne wiston hie drihten god. Ibid., 246. Ne ʓe leafnesword guðfremmendra ʓearwe ne wisson. Ibid., 2519. Ʒif ic wiste.

125 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 18. He wisse forðon þæt ðerh æfist saldon hine.

126 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 19. Heo wisten … þet he wes hali.

127 c. 1200.  Ormin, 521. Illc an … Wisste full wel.

128 c. 1275.  Passion our Lord, 160, in O. E. Misc., 42. He wyste þat þe Gywes hyne þouhte spille.

129 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 15953. Þan wijst he cummen his maister word. Ibid., 16054. Sir pilate … Wist þam was leif to lei.

130 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5068. Bettere wistey nought what for to do. Ibid., 8021. wystey.

131 a. 1352.  Minot, Poems (ed. Hall), iii. 52. Men … Þat wist both of wele and wo.

132 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 152. He ne wyst on worde what he warp schulde.

133 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 461. Neuer more þen þay wyste fram queþen he was wonnen.

134 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, IV. 771. Quhethir scho … Wenit, or vist it vitterly.

135 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xviii. (Egipciane), 1337. He … vyst it was scho.

136 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 13839. All wiston tho wise … He shuld duly be ded.

137 c. 1450.  Merlin, 25. When these … men wisten that Vortiger sholde be kynge.

138 1537.  Q. Margaret, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., V. 120. And … thys Raulme vyst that Ze vold be dysplesyd.

139 1556.  Aurelio & Isab. (1608), B v. She showed … all that she wiste.

140 1576.  R. Peterson, G. della Casa’s Galateo, 12. The Count … neuer wyst of his fault.

141 1865.  Swinburne, Chastelard, I. ii. 200. And that, God wot, I wist not.

142   β.  a. 1000.  Judith, 207. Westan beʓen þæt [etc.].

143 1340.  Ayenb., 72. Þet hi westen be hare wylle.

144 1539.  St. Papers Hen. VIII., VIII. 172. He west not, whether [etc.].

145 a. 1585.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 178. I … weist not what it meind.

146   γ.  c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), cvi. 29. Swa he hira willan wyste fyrmest.

147 c. 1205.  Lay., 525. He … wuste, þat þe king … forð sculde iwenden. Ibid., 1167. His sæ-monnen, þe … þa lawen wusten.

148 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 10. Eiþer seide of oþeres custo Þat alere worste þat hi wuste.

149 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2025. Þo he wste wat he was.

150 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 52. Wust I þat,… þer nis nouþur Wyndou ne Auter, Þat I ne schulde maken oþur mende.

151 c. 1400.  St. Alexius (Vernon), 326. He wuste he scholde heþen wende.

152 1555.  Phaër, Æneid., II. (1558), D iij b. Nor what to do I wust.

153   δ.  1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 55. Me wost not where me myȝte mete hem.

154 a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour (1868), 6. Whanne her fader wost she was with childe.

155 1492.  Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 274/2. Robert … maid faith be wost nocht quhare It wes.

156   ε.  1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XII. 156. He wyttyt [v.r. askit] at thaim of thair far.

157   b.  2nd pers. sing. 1, 4, 6 wistest (1 wistes, subj. wisse, wiste), 4 wystest, (vistes), wiste, 4–5 wyste, wist, 6 wyst.

158 c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., v. § 3. Ic wolde þæt þu me sædest hwæþer ðu wisse hwæt þu self wære.

159 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John i. 48. Huona … mec wistes ðu?

160 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxv. 26. Ðu wistest þæt ic rype þær ic ne sawe.

161 13[?].  K. Horn, 240 (Harl.). Tech him alle þe listes þat þou euer wystest [Laud MS. vistes].

162 1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, I. viii. (Skeat), l. 31. In as fer as thou hem wistest false.

163 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., xiv. Wist thou thy payne to cum … wele myght thou wepe.

164 c. 1430.  Chev. Assigne, 186. If þou here dome wyste.

165 c. 1500.  Melusine, 24. Yf thou wyst and knew the grette meruaylles.

166 1587.  Golding, De Mornay, ii. (1592), 21. If thou wistest how to vse them.

167   5.  Imperative. Stem as in 1; endings: sing. 1–6 -e; occas. combined with foll. pron. 4 witow; pl. 1 -aþ, 1–5 -e (in wite ȝe), 1, 4–5 -eþ, 4–5 -eth, 5 -iþ, -yþ; north. 1 -as, 4 -s, 5 -is, -ys; also sing. and (4– ) pl. without ending.

168 a. 900.  Cynewulf, Elene, 945. Wite ðu þe ʓearwor þæt ðu … anforlete … lufan dryhtnes.

169 c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. viii. Witað ʓe þæt hit swa nis.

170 971.  Blickl. Hom., 183. Wit þu þonne þæt ic eom dry.

171 c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), iv. 4 [3]. Wite ʓe [scitote] þæt God ʓemyclade his ðone ʓehalʓodan.

172 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 9. Wite ȝe hwet wes sinagoge on þam alde laȝe.

173 c. 1200.  Ormin, 205. Witt tu þatt icc amm Gabriæl.

174 1205.  wite þu [see B. 5].

175 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4727. Wijt [Gött. wit] yee wel. Ibid., 20275. Has na dred, bot wijts it wele.

176 13[?].  Bonaventura’s Medit., 254. Weteþ þat he me hated ar ȝow.

177 c. 1325.  Spec. Gy Warw., 312. Wete þu wel.

178 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 68. A gladere wommon … no miȝt go on erþe … witow for soþe.

179 c. 1400.  Maundev., vi. [v.] (1919), I. 23. And wyte ȝee wel þat [etc.].

180 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 2775. Wetys hit all wele … Þat þe dayens you derit.

181 1441.  in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 1450, 69/2. Wittis me to hafe gevin [etc.].

182 1450–80.  trans. Secr. Secr., Prol. 3. Witith welle that Aristotille made … many wondres.

183 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xvii. 396. Syr, wyte that charlemagne is come wyth his oost.

184 1508.  Dunbar, Gold. Targe, 177. Wit ye thay did thair baner hye display.

185   6.  Present Participle. α. 1, 4 witende, (1 wittende, weotende), 4 n. dial. witand, wetand (Sc. vittand), 4–6 Sc. wittand; 4–6 witing, wyt-, etc., 5–6 weting, -yng(e, 6– witting.

186 c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., I. xxvii. (ed. Schipper), 95/1. No witende [orig. nesciens]. Ibid., IV. iii. (1890), 270. Ne weotendum [orig. nescientibus].

187 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John, Introd. 2. Scienti, uitend.

188 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, x. 4. Witand his priuytes.

189 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, v. (Johannes), 86. Wittand na wa.

190 1412–20.  Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 2714. Noon … wetyng what sche ment.

191 1548.  Udall, Erasm. Par. N. T., Pref. 8. Well wetyng that [etc.].

192 1867.  Bailey, Universal Hymn, 8. Witting nought.

193   7.  Past Participle. α. 1–5 witen, (2 wy-, 4 -in), 4–5 witten, 5 wytene, wetyn, -un, -en(e, Sc. 5 witting, 5–6 -in, witne, 6 Sc. wyttin, 8 (?) wit. β. 3, 5 west, 4 weste, 4–6 wyst, 5 wyste, wiste, 4– wist.

194   α.  c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke xii. 2. Nis nan þing … behydd þæt ne sy witen [Hatton Gosp. ʓewyten].

195 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6996. In his time war þe fabus written, Þat yeit er thoru þe bokes witten [Gött. witin, Trin. witen].

196 a. 1400.  Morte Arth., 869. Hade I wytene of this.

197 c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 1810. Sho lete als sho him noght had sene, Ne wetyn that he thar had bene.

198 c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., cxxxviii. 435. Gif þai had witting, herd, or sene.

199 c. 1470.  Harding, Chron. LXXVI. v. To be written … euer to be knowen and weten.

200 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 604. And I had wittin.

201 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), ii. 32. I wald þat it wer wittin.

202 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., X. (S.T.S.), II. 444. Gif the peple had witne.

203 17[?].  Jamie Douglas, ii. in Child, Ballads, IV. 98. An I had wit what I wit now.

204   β.  a. 1300.  Cursor M., 18130. Als he had wist it noght.

205 c. 1300.  Harrow. Hell, 33 (Digby MS.). Suþþen haui þoled and west [Harl. MS. wyst] Boþe chele, hounger and þurst.

206 a. 1320.  K. Horn, 1484 (Harl.). Knyhtes of þe beste Þat he euer hede of weste.

207 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. xiii. 67. Y haue wiste suche men.

208 1482[?].  Cely Papers (Camden), 131. And y had west that ȝe would a taked so sor.

209 1526.  wyst [see HAD-I-WIST].

210 1792.  [see B. 7].

211 1844.  wist [see B. 1 d].

212   B.  Signification.

213   I.  Simple senses.

214   1.  trans. To have cognizance or knowledge of; to be aware of; to know (as a fact or an existing thing). a. with simple obj.: = KNOW v. 8, 11 f.

215 971.  Blickl. Hom., 117. Frunan maran þinges þonne ænʓes mannes ʓemet wære her on eorðan, þæt hit witan mihte.

216 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John iv. 10. Ʒif þu wistest godes ʓyfe, & hwæt se is þe cwið to þe, syle me drincan.

217 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 35. Nis nan sunne þet he [sc. the priest] ne con; oðer he heo wat ðurh, þet he heo dude him seolf.

218 a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 112, in O. E. Hom., I. 167. Þe ðe lest wat biseið ofte mest, þe hit al wat is stille.

219 c. 1200.  Ormin, 11259. Þiss wast tu wel to soþe.

220 c. 1250.  Hymn to God, 12, in Trin. Coll. Hom., App. 258. Þu þe wost al ure þoucht, louerd drauȝ us neor þe.

221 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., C. 129. Þe welder of wyt, þat wot alle þynges.

222 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 638. A bettere kniȝt wot y non.

223 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 389. For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe. Ibid., 595. Wel wiste he by the droghte, and by the reyn, The yeldynge of his seed, and of his greyn.

224 c. 1420.  Sir Amadace (Camden), xxix. The trauthe fulle litulle thay wote.

225 c. 1460.  Play Sacram., 679. The best Counsayle that I now wott.

226 c. 1500.  Lancelot, 225. None wist his nome.

227 1530.  Tindale, Lev. v. 17. Though he wist it not, he hath yet offended.

228 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 105. If ye had wist the cause of our comming.

229 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 13. The perill of this place I better wot then you.

230 1642.  H. More, Song of Soul, II. liii. You are Heavens Privy-Counsellour, I understond, Which I wist not before.

231 1753.  Richardson, Grandison, III. xxxi. 347. Wot ye not the indelicacy of an early present, which you are not obliged to make?

232 1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxix. I wot that but too well.

233   b.  with dependent statement (sometimes anticipated by a pronoun (it, this) as obj., which in the pass. const. becomes the subj.): = KNOW v. 11 a.

234 Beowulf, 821. Grendel … wiste þe geornor þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen.

235 971.  Blickl. Hom., 121. Hie wiston þæt heora eþel … sceolde … ʓeseted weorþan mid halʓum sawlum.

236 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. xv. 8. Hu mæʓ ic witan þæt ic hyt aʓan sceal?

237 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxv. 24. Ic wat þæt ðu eart heard mann.

238 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 147. He wiste siker þat hit wurðen solde.

239 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 61. Ich wot þat þu art vnMilde Wiþ heom þat ne Muwe from þe schilde.

240 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3054. Nu ic wot we haue mis-don.

241 c. 1300.  Havelok, 1345. I wot, he wilen þe nouth werne.

242 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5151. Hit haþ ofte be wyst & sen, Þat wraþe bytwyxte kynde haþ ben.

243 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 509. I will blythly apon me ta The state, for I wate that I have rycht.

244 a. 1400.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 87. Þou woost not to-day þat þou schalt lyue to-morowe.

245 1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 8776. I wot my sylff yt ys nat so.

246 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 22. Efter Leoun, was chosin a woman pape nocht wittand that scho was a woman.

247 a. 1516.  More, Rich III., Wks. 37/1. Whose death kyng Edwarde … when he wist it was done, pitiously bewailed.

248 1530.  Tindale, Gen. xx. 6. I wot it well that thou dydest it in purenesse of thi herte.

249 1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. v. 16. As witting I no other comfort haue.

250 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 8. I wat on him she did na gloom.

251 1816.  Scott, Old Mort., v. Well wot I thou hast not heard the call of a true preacher.

252 1899.  R. Gottheil, in Century Mag., Dec., 300/2. They fear that the Zionists will help to turn the tide, witting little that the tide has long since turned and has left them high and dry.

253   c.  with dependent question (also ellipt.): = KNOW v. 11 b.

254   See also WHAT pron. 8 b (quots. a. 1000, c. 1560, 1568, 1570, 1603) and WATNA-WHAT.

255 Beowulf, 2519. Nolde ic sweord beran,… ʓif ic wiste hu wið ðam aʓlæcean elles meahte ʓylpe wiðgripan.

256 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John viii. 14. Ic uat huona ic cuom & huidder ic ʓeonge.

257 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 45. Wel ic wat hwer ic sceal milcien.

258 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 96. Ne schalt tu neuer more eft witen hu me stont.

259 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1201. Ich wot ȝef treon schule blowe; Ich wat ȝef cornes schule growe.

260 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 64. Wydur to wende ne wat he noght.

261 1340.  Ayenb., 9. To yelde þet he heþ of oþre manne kueadliche, yef he wot to huam.

262 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. Prol. 12. Þat I was in A Wildernesse, wuste I neuer where.

263 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 452. It is reservyd to God, to wete wiche [sin] is dedly and which is venyal.

264 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 6646. At Rypoun hostelere he was, I ne wate how many ȝere.

265 1544.  St. Papers Hen. VIII., X. 138. Forbicause … that two of his servauntes wer sick, he wist not wherol [etc.].

266 1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, xxvi. Whether they speak Gaelic or no I wotna.

267 1842.  Macaulay, Battle of Lake Regillus, xix. And none wist where he lay.

268   d.  with obj. and compl., or acc. and inf.: = KNOW v. 11 c.

269 Beowulf, 1309. Syðþan he aldorþeʓn unlyfiʓendne, þone deorestan deadne wisse.

270 c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xxvii. § 1. Forðæm he hine wiste swiðe unʓescead wisne.

271 a. 1000.  Colloq. Ælfric, in Wr.-Wülcker, 90/2. We witan þe bilewitne wesan.

272 c. 1205.  Lay., 15060. Anan swa heo me þer witen, awæi heo wulleð wenden.

273 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1905. Maxencius þo he wste him come he adde of him gret doute.

274 13[?].  K. Horn, 1372 (Harl.). Of ioie hue ne miste, O lyue ȝef hue þe wiste.

275 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 629. I wot me vnworthy þis wirdis to ffall.

276 c. 1462.  Paston Lett., II. 87. In faith, my Lorde dyd quyte hym als curageously as ever I wist man do.

277 1552.  Lyndesay, Monarche, 2698. I haue wyttin gud wemen passe fra hame.

278 c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), xxii. 10. It dois ȝow ay delyt To wit me in distress.

279 1571.  Campion, Hist. Irel., vi. (1633), 15. Hee never wist the matter to bee haynous.

280 1614.  Sylvester, Bethulia’s Rescue, VI. 276. Judith … Whom now the Murdress of his Lord hee wist.

281 1844.  Mrs. Browning, Lay of Brown Rosary, I. iv. The grey border-stone that is wist To dilate and assume a wild shape in the mist.

282   e.  absol., or in parenthetic phrases (see also 11): = KNOW v. 11 e. (See also HAD-I-WIST.)

283   I wot (occas. I wit), dial. awat (awyte), is often equivalent virtually to I wis (see WIS v.2).

284 c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), lxxxi[i]. 5 Ne onʓeatan hi, ne ʓeara wistan.

285 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13607. ‘Hu es it sua þat he seis nu?’ ‘We ne wat, bot ask him-seluen hu.’

286 a. 1300, 1724.  [see A. 2 α].

287 c. 1300.  Havelok, 2708. Þou wost ful wel, yif þu wilt wite, Þat aþelwold þe dide site On knes.

288 c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 867. Þou lext, ich vnder stand And wot!

289 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sompn. T., 182. Elye, wel ye witen In mount Oreb … He fasted longe.

290 c. 1400.  Beryn, 509. What dogg is þat?… wost þou ere?

291 c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 429. I wryt as I wait.

292 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 262. Als far as I wait, the nicht is furth gane.

293 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. viii. 44. Them to renew, I wote, breeds no delight.

294 1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XI. lxiii. 275. But, well I wot, Loue is a Lordly Feast.

295 1748.  Thomson, Cast. Indol., I. lxxiv. He led, I wot, the softest way to death.

296 a. 1774.  I wyt [see WIRE sb. 7].

297 1775.  [see A. 2 β].

298 1830.  Tennyson, Second Song Owl. Thy tuwhits are lull’d, I wot.

299   † (b).  in subjunctive in phr. God or Crist wite.

300   Cf. MHG. wiȥȥe Crist, etc.

301 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 29. Eft, wite crist, heo is ful biter to betene.

302 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 250. God hit wute & he hit wot [etc.].

303 c. 1300.  Havelok, 517. God it wite, he shal ben ded.

304   2.  intr. with of: To be aware of (as existing, or as happening or having happened); to know of (KNOW v. 18 b). With negative, (a) to have no idea of, not to suspect; (b) to be unaware or unconscious of.

305   In later use chiefly in the phr. that I, you (etc.) wot of.

306 c. 1205.  Lay., 17174. Ich what a wærc mid wundere bi-stonde.

307 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 88. Ȝare hit is þet ich wuste herof.

308 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 7. Non … may of it non othere weyis wytyn But as he hath herd seyd or founde it wrytyn.

309 c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 40. He þat presumiþ and weniþ to wete verily of a þing.

310 c. 1460.  Emare, 579. He … wyste of no treson.

311 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, I. x. 49. I wold I had wyst of hem, they shold not haue escaped so.

312 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., X. (S.T.S.), II. 286. Our folk … met with thame … be chance the ane not witting of the vther.

313 1607.  T. Rogers, 39 Art., Pref. (1625), ¶¶ 1. We not weeting, nor … dreaming of any such matter.

314 1801.  Wordsw., Prioress’ T., xxvi. Those bad Jews … That of this murder wist.

315 1866.  Alger, Solit. Nat. & Man, II. 58. Inspired by a splendid hope,… he wist not of hunger or of sneers.

316 1876.  Mrs. Whitney, Sights & Insights, II. iii. 363. We wit well of many things that we would never prove.

317   † b.  To have experience of: cf. KNOW v. 18 a.

318 13[?].  Cursor M., 20508 (Gött.). I sal fare Þat i sal neuer wilt of care.

319 c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 3270. Gode lete hem never wete of woo!

320 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., xliv. A … prisoner … That … wote of noght bot wo.

321 1426.  Audelay, Poems, 2. His soul never schal ponyschyd be, ne never wyt of wo.

322   † 3.  Passing into the sense: To become aware of, gain knowledge of, get or come to know; to find out, ascertain, discover; to be informed of, learn, ‘hear’ (at or of a person), esp. in answer to inquiry; hence sometimes virtually equivalent to ‘inquire, ask.’ Cf. KNOW v. 8, 18 b (obs. uses). Obs.

323   Often not distinguishable from the simple sense ‘know’ (1 or 2), esp. with will or would (= wish, would like), or with ere, or (= before).

324   a.  trans. with simple obj., or in passive.

325 c. 1000.  [see A. 7 α].

326 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 562. Ȝef ha þe ȝet wule, þen ha wat hire woh, wiðstonden aȝein us.

327 a. 1300.  K. Horn, 288 (Camb.). To speke wiþ Rymenhild … & witen hure wille.

328 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 4. To oridrace … alixandre wendus, Þere wilde contre was wist & wondurful peple.

329 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, I. 615. Harmes myghte folwen … If it were wyst.

330 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 427. Nero … wolde wite … þe nombre of Iewes þat were at Ierusalem.

331 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 13486. Þai … Made hym wise of þe werke, þat þai wiste hade.

332 1450.  Paston Lett., I. 111. They … sent in to me to weten if thei mytȝ speken with me.

333 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 197 b/1. Anone as she wyste the comyng of the holy virgyne she wente to hir.

334 1535.  Lyndesay, Satyre, 291. Of my name wald ȝe wit the veritie, Forsuith, thay call me Sensualitie.

335 c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), iii. 19. Lat non knaw ȝor intentis; Be verry war or that thay wit ȝor myndis.

336   b.  with dependent statement or question or obj. and compl. (as in 1 b, c).

337 1132.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.). Þa wiste þe king ðat he feorde mid suicdom.

338 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 41. Ȝif hwa wule witen hwa erest bi-won reste þam wrecche saule … ic eow segge.

339 c. 1205.  Lay., 271. Witen he wolde þurh þa wiþercraftes wat þing hit were.

340 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1185. Þe pikes smite hom þoru out ar hii wuste wat hit were.

341 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13082. Iohn bigan at þam to wijt Quer iesus crist … yeitt Bigan wit werckes him to kiþe.

342 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 145. Whanne þis witty werwolf wiste him so schaped.

343 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xi. (Simon & Judas), 366. & bad þe duk þat þai suld vyte quhat he wes þat [þat] had done.

344 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 213. Now wolde I witen of þe what were þe best.

345 c. 1430.  Chev. Assigne, 35. Whenne he wysste her with chylde.

346 1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 136. He began to caste his eyen vpon his peple … for to wete how they were of nombre.

347 1530.  Tindale, Gen. ix. 24. As soone as Noe was awaked … and wyst what his yongest sonne had done.

348 1531.  Dial. on Laws Eng., I. xvi. 38. I wolde wytte whether the partie shal be also dischargyd in the common lawe.

349 1535.  Coverdale, Exod. ii. 4. His sister stode a farre of, to wete what wolde come of him.

350 1616.  R. C., Times’ Whistle, v. 2094. Diligent enquirie made, they wist At length what was become of him.

351 1690.  W. Walker, Idiomat. Anglo-Lat., 524. He stood to wit what would be done.

352   c.  absol. or intr. with of.

353 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 689. Alle þre he broȝte Þe doȝtren bi vore him to witen of hor þoȝte.

354 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20194. Quat es ti name…? Gladli þar-of wijt wald i.

355 1375.  [see A. 4 ε].

356 a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 509. Þis egg, or þe kyng wyst, to þe erth fallis.

357 c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, i. 49. And ȝe wole wyte, thus mowe ȝe lere.

358 a. 1450.  How Merch. dyd Wyfe betray, 103, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 201. Yf he wylle algatys wytt, Say in my chaumbyr y lye sore syke.

359 c. 1520.  Skelton, Magnyf., 22. Where wonnys Welthe, and a man wolde wyt? Ibid., 1654. I speke the softlyer, because he sholde not wete.

360 1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., x. 279. He come hame agane or euer thay wist.

361 1629.  Maxwell, trans. Herodian (1635), 52. On a sudden (ere any wist) there rusht among the people the Emperors armed Horsemen.

362 1795.  Burns, ‘O Lassie,’ 2. O Lassie, are ye sleepin yet, Or are ye waukin, I wad wit?

363   † 4.  trans. To have practical knowledge of; to be conversant with or versed in: = KNOW v. 9. Obs.

364 a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 445. He … wiste … spræca fela.

365 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 195. He wot insiȝt in eche songe Wo singet wel, wo singet wronge.

366 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 18938. For wel þai all langage wist.

367 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 7166. Tak & lef as þou sest skyle,… Bettere þan y þou wost þe dede.

368 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 516. Swiche maner lorus, Þat þou miht … þe beste lawe kenne. Whan þou hit wisliche wost, wilne hit in herte.

369   b.  with to and inf.: To know how, be able: = KNOW v. 12.

370 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 99. Sin we wetin hur wil to worchen … We mowe be soþliche isaid hur seruauntus.

371 c. 1440.  Generydes, 53. He wyste not them to fynde.

372 1576.  Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 3), I. 14/2. He either wist not, or lyste not to shew his cunnyng therin.

373 1594.  Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, v. (1596), 58. No Philosopher as yet wist to giue to euery difference of wit determinatly that which was his.

374 1893.  F. Thompson, Hound of Heaven, 24. Fear wist not to evade, as Love wist to pursue.

375   † 5.  In imperative = ‘be assured,’ ‘you may be certain,’ and later in monitory formulæ and polite phrases (e.g., ye shall wit, please it you to wit) = ‘you must know,’ ‘let me tell you,’ ‘allow me to inform you.’ Obs.

376 a. 900–1000.  [see A. 5].

377 c. 1205.  Lay., 15090. Wite þu … þat dead is Vortimer.

378 c. 1275.  Passion our Lord, 356, in O. E. Misc., 47. Yf Mi kyneriche were ine worlde þisse, Mine men wolde wyþstonde, wite þu myd iwisse.

379 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10185. Was neuer nan for-soth wijt yee Men of sua mikel cherite.

380 1363.  Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 60. Hit witen and witnessen þat woneþ vppon eorþe, Þat I, Fauuel [etc.].

381 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 4782. Wite thou this, if thou fle it, it shal flee thee.

382 c. 1400.  Maundev., vi. [v.] (1919), I. 26. Wyteth wel þat the rewme of Arabye is a full gret contree.

383 1417.  Hen. V., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 61. We grete yow wel, and wol ye wite that thambassiatours … have been here.

384 1425.  Paston Lett., I. 21. Preyeng yow to wite that I have resceyved yowr goodly lettres.

385 c. 1450.  Merlin, 13. Wite well that god shall helpe yow.

386 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 15. Ȝe sall witt that the sevyn angelis signifyis the sevin partis of the tyme.

387 c. 1470.  Golagros & Gaw., 98. Thow sall rew in thi ruse, wit thow but wene.

388 1476.  Stonor Papers (Camden), II. 2. Ples it you to wete, this same day I depart to Cales wardes.

389 1539.  Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), II. 196. Please it your excellente Maiestie to witte that [etc.].

390 1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., x. 57. First thow sall wit, he was sone natural To James the Fyft.

391 1608.  Shaks., Per., IV. iv. 31. Please you wit: The Epitaph is for Marina writ.

392   † 6.  with to and inf.: To be certain or confident, feel sure, expect confidently. (Cf. KNOW v. 10.) Obs.

393 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2057. He was glad, uor he wuste wel to winne al is wille.

394 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 224. He was an esy man to yeue penaunce Ther as he wiste to haue a good pitaunce.

395 c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, vii. 41. Ȝif he wiste to heuene to go.

396 c. 1440.  Jacob’s Well, 177. My conscyens telde me, þat ȝif I had wyst to haue lyued, I wolde noȝt have sorwyd for my synnes.

397   † 7.  To experience: = KNOW v. 5 c. Obs. rare.

398 a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 8. Oure eldris … That mykell wiste of wo and wele.

399 a. 1510.  Douglas, K. Hart, I. 86. This cumlie court … No wandreth wait, ay wenis welth endure.

400 1792.  A. Wilson, Watty & Meg, 138. Meg … Sic a change had never wist.

401   8.  To recognize; to distinguish, discern, detect: = KNOW v. 1, 1 b, 4. Obs. or rare arch.

402 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 781. O wityng bath god and ill Ȝee suld be lauerds at ȝour will.

403 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 1002. Men han wit for to wite þe wikke & þe gode.

404 c. 1352.  Minot, Poems (ed. Hall), iv. 44. In þat morning fell a myst, And when oure Ingliss men it wist, It changed all þaire chere.

405 1555.  Phaër, Æneid, I. (1558), B ij. Whan he his mother wist, He folowed fast and cald (alas) what mean you, thus to list In fayned shapps … to apeare?

406 1842.  Mrs. Browning, Grk. Chr. Poets (1863), 98. If by chance an Attic voice be wist.

407   II.  Phrases.

408   9.  † a. Do to wit, also without to (DO v. 22 c): to cause (a person) to know, make known to, inform. Also (rarely) give to wit (GIVE v. 29 c). Const. as in 1 and 2. Obs.

409 c. 1205.  Lay., 3163. Ich do þe wel to witene,… þat mi drihliche lond atwa ich habbe ideled. Ibid., 27150. Arður hafde his hauwares … and sone duden him to witen whuder he wolde wenden.

410 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1302. He saȝt ðe stede Ðe god him witen in herte dede.

411 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 14782. Seint Bede doþ vs to wyten Whilk were gode, whilke were elles.

412 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VIII. 13. I … proyed hem … If þei knewe any contre … Where þat dowel dwelleth, doth me to wytene.

413 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), iii. 8. I do ȝow to wit þat Constantinople es riȝt a faire citee.

414 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VII. xxvi. 253. Ye myght haue done me to wete of his comynge.

415 1524.  in Hakluyt, Voy. (1599), II. 77. Wee giue you to weet, that we haue receiued your letters.

416 1526.  Tindale, 1 Cor. xv. 2. I do you to witt [1611 I declare vnto you] after what maner I preached vnto you.

417 1600.  Holland, Livy, XXIX. xxiv. He did them to weete and understand, that hee intended … to conduct his armada to Lilybæum.

418 a. 1604.  Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 193. We doe you wit, that such a Law and Custome is in England.

419 1674.  [see DO v. 22 c].

420   b.  Let wit, rarely † let to wit (LET v.1 12, 13): to let (a person) know (a thing): (a) to inform (one), or to make (something) known (= a); (b) to allow (one) to know, or (something) to be known, to disclose, reveal; † (c) occas. to show, exhibit. Const. as in a. Obs. exc. dial.

421 c. 1205.  [see LET v.1 13].

422 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 9788. Þe point of is suerd … at canterbury þe monekes lateþ wite, Vor honour of þe holi man.

423 c. 1340.  Hampole, Prose Treat., 4. He lett me wyete … þat he ne is fundene in þe lande of softly lyfande.

424 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 3145. Thou art wel worthy to haue maugree To late hym of the Roser wite.

425 c. 1440.  Generydes, 4153. If ye knowe wher that I may hym fynde, Now lete me wete, I prae yow.

426 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), C. I lette the to witte, that the Rodyan people are curteis.

427 a. 1547.  Surrey, in Tottel’s Misc. (Arb.), 219. I let the wete thou shalt not play with me.

428 1592.  Kyd, Sp. Trag., IV. iv. Solyman saluteth thee, And lets thee wit by me his highnes will.

429 1600.  Fairfax, Tasso, V. lxxxvi. From Egypt come they all, this lets thee weete [rhyme fleete].

430 1794.  [see LET v.1 13].

431 1825.  Brockett, N. C. Gloss., s.v., ‘I’ll ne’er let wit,’ I’ll not inform, or I’ll keep it secret.

432 1890.  Hall Caine, Bondman, II. i. [He] never let wit of his intention.

433   10.  To wit. † a. It is to wit (also to witting): it is to be observed, noted or ascertained; so it were to wit, it needs investigation, one ought to know. Obs.

434 c. 1320.  Cast. Love, 783. Of þe middel heuȝ is to wite Þe swetnesse and þe feirschipe.

435 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 431. Hit were to witen Whi þe bataille of Troye was smiten.

436 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 114. It were to wite þe moral sense of þese wordis. Ibid. (c. 1380), Wks. (1880), 328. It were to wite … wheþer priue confession made to prestis be nedeful.

437 1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. ii. (Tollem. MS.). Firste it is to wetynge what þinge the soule is. Ibid., XVII. ii. (Add. MS. 27944). It is to wytynge [ed. 1495 wyte] þat a graffe … chaungeþ þe … qualite of þe stok in to his owne … qualite.

438 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. xiii. 223. For the more cleering of this present answere, it is to wite that a thing is holi in three maners.

439 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 246. Bot quhethir his awin legis ar behaldyn to kepe his assuraunce, in that poynt it is to wit.

440 1511.  Guylforde’s Pilgr. (Camden), 47. It is to wyt that the Holy Londe … in parte … was called ye kyngdome of Jude.

441 1628.  Coke, On Litt., 16. And it is to wit, that this word (inheritance) is not only intended where a man hath Lands or Tenements by discent of inheritage. [Comm.] Et est ascauoire. This kinde of speech is vsed … oftentimes by our Authour … and euer teacheth vs some rule of Law, or generall or sure leading point.

442   † b.  That is to wit (also to witting) = AF. cestasavoir literally ‘that is to know’: that is to say, that is, namely: = L. scilicet, videlicet (viz.); occas. = id est (i.e.). Obs. replaced by the simple to wit, c (b).

443 1340.  Ayenb., 1. Tuaye lettres of þe abece, þet is to wytene A. and b.

444 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 403. Twa substance, þat is to wyt, Of devel and man, to-gyddir knete.

445 a. 1400.  Engl. Gilds (1870), 349. Þese ben þe olde vsages of þe Cite of Wynchestre … Þat is to wetynge, þat [etc.].

446 1440.  in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 360/2. Ȝeldynge there of by the ȝere to the forseyde Johan, that ys to wetynge, the furste ȝere [6s. 8d.] and every ȝere after [13s. 4d.]

447 1484.  Caxton, Fables of Poge, v. The whiche parte was iumelle that is to wete double.

448 1496.  Bk. St. Albans, Fishing, h j. Your harnays. That is to wyte your rodde: your lynes.

449 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxiii. 8. For one ys youre master, that is to wytt Christ.

450 1562.  Turner, Herbal, II. 75. Where of we haue hearde a grete wonder, that is to wete, that that same kynde dieth & lyueth agayn.

451 1579–80.  North, Plutarch, Theseus (1595), 8. Vpon conditions agreed betweene them: that is to wit, that the Athenians should furnish them with a shippe.

452   c.  To wit: (a) ‘To be sure,’ as one may know, truly, indeed. Obs. or rare arch.

453 c. 1400.  Song of Roland, 850. Ther fell … A straung wedur. A gret derk myst in the myd-day-tym,… the erthe dynnyd doillfully to wet.

454 c. 1400.  Melayne, 222. Þay … bade hym come owte with þam to fyghte, To witt with owtten wene.

455 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 14002. The worthiest to wete, þat in wer deghit.

456 1581.  A. Hall, Iliad, IX. 166. No fault so great to wit, Which at the prayer of faultie folkes the Gods do not remit.

457 1748.  Thomson, Cast. Indol., I. xxv. He was, to weet, a little roguish Page.

458 1819.  Keats, On Charles Armitage Brown, i. He is to weet a melancholy carle.

459   (b)  That is, namely, scilicet.

460   In former law practice used to indicate (and placed after the name of) the venue of a trial.

461 1577.  Wolton, Cast. Christians, B viij b. That common saying…, that the beginning of vertue is of Nature, to wyt of Perfect Nature.

462 1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, B j. The same testimonye that ye alledge, to weete, that they had Moses and the Prophets.

463 1596.  Spenser, F. Q., V. x. 1. Some Clarkes doe doubt … Whether this heauenly thing, whereof I treat, To weeten Mercie, be of Iustice part.

464 1608.  Bp. J. King, Serm., 24 March, 12. He … reigned long, to weete, fourty years.

465 1621.  T. Granger, Eccles. vi. 3. 137. An abortiue child, to wit, one that is borne before his time, and dyeth in his birth.

466 1657.  Style, Reg. Pract., 351. Incertain words in the Count or Declaration, may be made good … by a plea in Bar. Hill 22 Car. B. r. To wit, by the Defendants taking notice of the meaning of them in his plea.

467 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 43, ¶ 9. Accounting for what we frequently see, to wit, that dull Fellows prove very good Men of Business.

468 1756.  C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. 39. In certain degrees of heat, to wit, in thirty three of Fahrenheit’s thermometer, and upwards, water is always fluid.

469 1765.  G. Wilson, Raymond’s Entries, III. 168. Allen against Harris…. Kent, (to wit).

470 1823.  Broadsheet (Bodl. G. A. Oxon. b. 112. lf. 80). Oxfordshire to Wit. Sentences of the Prisoners, Who were tried at the Summer Assizes at Oxford.

471 1832.  Bingham, Rep. Comm. Pleas, VIII. 235. At Martinmas 1830, to wit, on the 23d of November 1830.

472 1852.  Oxford Chron., 3 July, 1/5. advt., Oxfordshire Election. Proclamation for a Special County Court, Oxfordshire to wit.

473 1875.  Maine, Hist. Instit., iv. 114. Thrice nine ridges…, to wit, nine of bog, nine of smooth and nine of wood.

474   11.  God wot (also † God it wot; † Godwot, God ote, GODDOT): God knows. a. Used to emphasize the truth of a statement. arch. So † Wot Christ.

475 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 54. God hit wot… more wunder ilomp. Ibid., 330. Wat Crist hit is god riht þet us scheome biuoren monne.

476 c. 1300.  Havelok, 2527. For he it made, god it woth!

477 a. 1300–1859.  [see GOD sb. 10 a].

478 c. 1400.  Anturs Arth., 542 (Ireland MS.). ‘Greselle,’ quod Gauan, ‘gone is, God ote!’

479 1865.  [see A. 4 α].

480 1883.  Miss Broughton, Belinda, III. 83. She has good reasons enough, God wot!

481 1893.  T. E. Brown, Old John, etc., 177. A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!

482   † b.  With dependent interrogative or absol., implying that the thing spoken of is utterly unknown.

483 1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 3. What schal befalle hierafterward God wot.

484 c. 1400.  Beryn, 1201. I am I-weddit! ȝe, God woot beste, in what maner & howe!

485 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xii. 53. I wate noȝt; God wate.

486 a. 1500.  Peblis to the Play, 7. God wait þai wald þai do þat stound.

487 1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., xiii. 134. God wait gif ȝe be Jaips to hald in stoir.

488 1646.  [see GOD sb. 10 b].

489   † 12.  To wit (a person) to say: to inform or instruct him. Obs.

490   ? A misuse due to confusion with witere, WITTER v. (cf. the reading of later text in quot. c. 1205 s.v.).

491 a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 241. Þat semely qwene Ai of Egipt erd enquirid if he were,… scho wetis if he wald wete hire to say.

492 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 11467. He shuld … spir at hom specially of hor spede fer; If þai hade wille to þe werke, wete hom to say,… glose hit not lengur. Ibid., 13580. He fraynet at þe freke…, Wat whe þat he was, wete hym to say.

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