Nimble-Witted
/ˈnɪm.bəlˌwɪtɪd/noun
Quick and intelligent in thought or response.
Did you know?The “wit” in nimble-witted comes from the same ancient Germanic family as Old English witan, the name of the Anglo-Saxon king’s advisory council.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weyd-
“To see, know, or perceive”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*witaną
“To know”
Old English
Old English
wit
“Knowledge, understanding, or intelligence”
Middle English
Middle English
nimble
“Quick, agile, or active; borrowed through Anglo-Norman and Old French”
16th Century
English
nimble-witted
“Quick in understanding or mentally agile”
Modern English
English
nimble-witted
“Quick-thinking and intelligent”