witless

From Middle English witles, from Old English witlēas (“senseless; witless”), from Proto-Germanic *witjalausaz (“witless”), equivalent to wit +‎ -less. Cognate with Swedish vettlös (“senseless; witless; wild”), Icelandic vitlaus (“senseless; witless; foolish; mad”).

witless (comparative more witless, superlative most witless)

1. Lacking wit or understanding
2. indiscreet; not using clear and sound judgment.

• This term is frequently found in phrases such as scared witless, witless with fear, and so on.

• witful

• witlessly
• witlessness

witless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

• Wiltses, twissel