afterwit

See also: after-wit

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From after- +‎ wit.

Noun

afterwit (countable and uncountable, plural afterwits)

  1. Wisdom which comes after the event.
    After-wits are dearly bought, Let thy fore-wit guide thy thought.
    — Southwell.
    There is no recalling what’s gone and past; so that afterwit comes too late, when the mischief is done.
    — L’Estrange
    Antonym: forewit
  2. The lack of forethought.
    This week I am fearing afterwit as I create the outline for my next novel ...
    — Grace Tierney, 2010
    One good forewit is worth two afterwits.
    — Saying/Proverb
    Antonym: forewit
  3. A good comeback, retort one thinks of only after the end of discussion or after leaving a social gathering.
    Synonyms: l'esprit de l'escalier, staircase wit, (neologism) retrotort

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