Obs. [UN-1 12 + WIT sb. Cf. ON. úvit (MSw. ovit, Norw. uvit), Goth. unwiti; also WANWIT, and OE. unʓewit stupidity.]
1. Lack of wit or practical knowledge; ignorance; stupidity, folly.
c. 1200. Ormin, 6003. Ȝiff he nohht ne follȝheþþ witt, Acc unnwitt all wiþþ wille Inn all þatt iss onnȝæn Drihhtin.
a. 1225. Juliana, 22. Hwi destu us ba so wa, þurh þi muchele unwit?
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13936. Yee wat quat i am, and mi kin, O yur vn-witt quine wald yee blin?
1340. Ayenb., 82. Ȝer wyt of þe wordle ne is bot folye ase zayþ þe wrytinge, and childhede, and onwyt.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 374. God mai not faile on his side for noun-power or unwitt.
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle, V. xiv. (MS. Bodl. 770), 99/1. It is verey vnwytte to any erthly creature … to trowen [etc.].
1468. Chron. Eng., in Hearne, R. Glouc. (1724), 482/1. His hondes … shewethe sumwhat vnwyt and necclygence, for he vtterliche leueth the kepyng of hem.
2. An imprudent or foolish act.
c. 1200. Ormin, 8045. Þatt ifell gast maȝȝ oferr þa Þatt follȝhenn barrness þæwess Inn illc unnwitt, inn illc unnitt.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13657. Þou caitif for-lorn In sin was … born, Queþer þou wenis vs nu here O þine vn-wittes for to lere.
Hence † Unwithead, folly. Obs.
1340. Ayenb., 19. Zuych folie is wel y-cleped onwythede.
