A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1699
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Witty, -(i)e, Wytty, -ie, adj. Also: vitty, witie. Superl. vittiast. [ME and e.m.E. witti (Cursor M.), witty (Rolle), wytty (1380), witte (Destr. Troy).] a. Clever, intelligent; wise. b. Knowledgeable. Also absol. in superl. use.a., b. 1375 Barb. iv 694 (C).
Astrology, Quhar-throu clerkis that ar vitty, May knaw coniunctione off planetiis a1400 Legends of the Saints xxix 785.
Hou … we in a ton suld duel This lang tym & nan ken vthyre As witty man suld do his bruthir ?1438 Alex. i 2365.
Gaudifere that was witty [F. qui bien sot] Leit him … pas him by c1420 Wynt. iv 181.
Arystotyll … wndyr Plato the wytty Studyid 1456 Hay I 79/31.
Men that war symple and nocht witty of perpetuale thingis a1500 Henr. Fab. 1663.
God in all his werkis wittie is a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i 407 (see Cust n.).
Witte a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1252 (Asl.).
Trow we the prophettis spendit thair speche in sport … Thar witty wordis we suld not tak in wane a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1707.
As thai war wylye war and witte … ilk port a hole thai maide [etc.] 1513 Doug. x vii 132.
Alesus fader as witty man Forto eschew hys sonnys fatys … Hyd hym 1562 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 20 July.
He wes … of les age & nocht habill … to gyde … him but the avise … of sum famous personis and witty 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 47*.
I was evir mair rashe nor wyse. I can nocht giff yow ane verray wittie consall 1558-66 Knox I 46.
The man being witty, and mynded of that which was his most assured defence, said, ‘My lord, the reaportaris of such thingis ar manifest lyearis.’ Whareat the bischope rejosed, and said, ‘Your ansour pleasses me weall: I never could think of yow, that ye wold be so foolische as to affirme such thingis’ a1578 Pitsc. I 31/8.
The gouernour … tuik purpois to do sum hardie witie actt quhairthrow he sould … himsellff … haif out of this presentt perrell c1590 Fowler I 314/67.
Declairing furth your wyttie hairt 1591 Criminal Trials I ii 250.
Ony wittie or skilfull wemene … that will … caus your husband love yow a1676 Guthry Mem. 166.
This Stuart … being witty, considered that he would not obtain pardon … unless he did some meritorious act 1685 Lauder Observes 195 (see Knak n. 2). 1693 Foulis Acc. Bk. lxv.
She was a weill favoured wittie child 16.. Herries Mem. 64.
She was a wittie woman and could dyve to the bottome of the Queen's resolutionsabsol. 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 156/21.
Your actis of parliament euin according to the iudgement of the vittiast of thame that vas the diuysaris thairof, can nocht be ane sure ground quhairon onie man may leane his fayth
