
wit
词源
源自古英语'witt'(理解力),与古高地德语'wizzi'(知识)同源,最终源自原始日耳曼语*witją(知识)。
noun
❶ 指一个人快速思考和表达幽默或聪明想法的能力,常表现为妙语连珠或机智应答。
“She responded with such wit that everyone burst into laughter.”
(她回答得如此机智,引得所有人都大笑起来。)
“His speeches are full of sharp wit and clever observations.”
(他的演讲充满了犀利的机智和聪明的见解。)
❶ 指具有这种幽默智慧的人,通常形容那些说话风趣、思维敏捷的个体。
“Oscar Wilde was one of the great wits of the 19th century.”
(奥斯卡·王尔德是19世纪最杰出的才子之一。)
“The dinner party was enlivened by several local wits.”
(几位本地幽默大师让晚宴气氛活跃起来。)
verb
❶ 古语用法,表示知道或了解某事,现代英语中主要用于固定短语。
“To wit: the contract must be signed by both parties.”
(即:合同必须由双方签署。)
“The document lists all requirements, to wit: three references and a portfolio.”
(文件列出了所有要求,即:三份推荐信和作品集。)
常见短语
at one's wits' end — 形容人因问题无法解决而感到智穷计尽、束手无策的状态。
“After hours of trying to fix the computer, I was at my wits' end.”
(花了几个小时修电脑后,我已经无计可施了。)
have/keep one's wits about one — 保持头脑清醒和警觉,特别是在困难或危险的情况下。
“You need to keep your wits about you when driving in this storm.”
(在这种暴风雨中开车,你必须保持高度警觉。)