[f. WANT v. + WIT sb. Cf. lack-wit (LACK v.1 7).] One who lacks wit or sense.
1448–9. Metham, Amoryus & Cleopes, 1459. But alle to late now, as wantewyttys we make owre mone.
1579. W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, 41. Shall we thinke … that he would be such a want witte as to take all kynde of coine … and neuer examine it?
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 6. And such a Want-wit sadnesse makes of mee, That I haue much ado to know my selfe.
1610. Chester’s Triumph (Chetham Soc.), C 3. Because I hate to heare a want-wit preach Beyond wits bounds.
[1684. Bunyan, Pilgr., II. (1900), 266. They saw one Fool, and one Want-wit, washing of an Ethiopian with intention to make him white.]
1900. H. Sutcliffe, Shameless Wayne, iii. (1905), 42. She trembled now to think that they had turned a want-wit … into the heart of the pathless and bog-riddled heath.
b. attrib. or adj. Witless, senseless.
1894. ‘G. Egerton,’ Keynotes, 44. I laugh at myself for my want-wit agitation.
1900. H. Sutcliffe, Shameless Wayne, iii. (1905), 47. To pick a quarrel with the want-wit fellow.
