Wis vs Witter - What's the difference?

wis | witter |

As adjectives the difference between wis and witter

is that wis is certain while witter is knowing, certain, sure, wis.

As verbs the difference between wis and witter

is that wis is to know while witter is to make sure, inform, or declare.

As an adverb wis

is certainly, surely.

wis

English

Alternative forms

* wiss, ywis, iwis

Etymology 1

From (etyl) . More at ywis.

Adverb

(en adverb)

(rare, obsolete, or, dialectal) Certainly, surely

* 1884 , Charlotte Mary Yonge, The armourer's prentices :

So I wis would the Dragon under him [...]

(rare, obsolete, or, dialectal) Really, truly

(rare, obsolete, or, dialectal) Indeed

"As wis God helpe me." --Chaucer.

Adjective

(en adjective)

(rare, obsolete, or, dialectal) Certain

(rare, obsolete, or, dialectal) Sure

He was wis on his word

Derived terms

* (l)

Etymology 2

From an incorrect division, mistaking . See ywis for more information. The German verb wissen'' appears similar, but in fact corresponds etymologically to the English verb ''wit ; both of those verbs are only indirectly related to this one.

Verb

(obsolete, or, archaic) To know.

(obsolete, or, archaic) To think, suppose.

"Howe'er you wis ." --R. Browning.

(obsolete, or, archaic) To imagine, ween; to deem.

Nor do I know how long it is (For I have lain entranced, I wis ). --Coleridge.

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witter

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) witter, witer, of (etyl) origin, from (etyl) . More at (l), (l).

Adjective

(en adjective)

(obsolete, or, dialectal) knowing, certain, sure, wis.

Etymology 2

From (etyl) witteren, witeren, of (etyl) origin, from (etyl) . More at (l), (l).

Verb

(en verb)

(intransitive, intransitive, obsolete, or, dialectal) to make sure, inform, or declare.

to speak at length on a trivial subject.

She got home and started wittering about some religious cult she’d just heard about.

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