| 释义 |
ˈhalf-wit
[See wit n.]
†1. One who is only half a wit; a dealer in poor witticisms. Obs.
1678Dryden All for Love Prol., Half-wits are fleas; so little and so light, We scarce could know they live, but that they bite. 1713Steele Englishman No. 43. 280 Pen and Ink..in the Hands of a Half-Wit will do more Mischief than Sword and Dagger. a1720Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) II. 208 Let the half-wits do it, 'tis their drudgery.
2. One who has not all his wits; a half-witted person. Also attrib.
1755Johnson, Half-wit, a blockhead or foolish fellow. 1828in Webster. 1853A. J. Morris Bible Introd. 8 Fools and half-wits think themselves justified in calling prophets and apostles to order. 1884J. H. Wylie Hist. Hen. IV, I. 268 He often acted like a half-wit or a madman. 1938F. Scott Fitzgerald Let. Spring (1964) 29 We are setting it aside till we think of a way of half⁓witting halfwit Hayes and his Legion of Decency. 1960Times 24 Sept. 10/7 Their half-wit uncle. |