Search "at one's wits' end" in:
witOne entry found. Main Entry: 2wit Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wizzi knowledge, Old English witan to know Date: before 12th century 1 a : mind, memory b : reasoning power : intelligence — at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end : at a loss for a means of solving a problem synonyms wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous <a playful wit>. humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness <a sense of humor>. irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed <the irony of the title>. sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound <given to heartless sarcasm>. satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature <a satire on the Congress>. repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily <a dinner guest noted for repartee>.
Learn more about
"at one's wits' end" and related topics at
Britannica.com
|
|