1 to wit | Definition of to wit

to wit

adverb
\ tə-ˈwit How to pronounce to wit (audio) \

Definition of to wit

: that is to say : namely

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Synonyms for to wit

Synonyms

namely, scilicet, videlicet

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Examples of to wit in a Sentence

if we keep spending money like it's water, we're sure to end up in the same place as it often does, to wit, down the drain

Recent Examples on the Web

This is all the more remarkable given the devil’s bargain the war involved — to wit, the alliance with the Soviet Union, a country led by Joseph Stalin, a monster rivaling Adolf Hitler for runner-up in the ranks of history’s mass murderers. H. W. Brands, Washington Post, "The bureaucratic battles and political skirmishes that shaped World War II," 14 June 2019 The most persuasive economic argument is for voters to look under the covers, to wit, low/full unemployment is good, but many households require two incomes to survive, many persons are underemployed (working below their capacity) and underpaid. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Econometer: Is there an economic argument against Trump that Democrats can make?," 21 June 2019 The boy will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of delinquent to wit, trespassing, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm. Elise Takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Footprints in the snow lead police to a 15-year-old boy and a loaded gun," 16 Mar. 2018 So is the lack of representation of head chefs who are women or people of color—to wit, Christina Tosi of Milk Bar is the only woman represented on Netflix’s upcoming Chef’s Table Pastry (a ratio of three to one, which is utter lunacy). Matt Giles, Longreads, "David Chang’s ‘Ugly Delicious’ Pushes Food TV in the Right Direction," 23 Mar. 2018 This also makes clear another perilous element to this sudden diplomatic coup—to wit: nobody knows anything, as the Voice of America points out. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "I'll Believe It When I See It," 9 Mar. 2018 Others are running away from a problematic past (to wit: Sexmoan in the Philippines). Ken Jennings, CNT, "A British Town Changed Its Name Because of Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen," 9 Oct. 2017 Article 2: Violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the duties of his office by disregarding U.S. interests and pursuing the interests of a hostile foreign power, to wit, Russia. Phillip Carter, Slate Magazine, "Articles of Impeachment for Donald J. Trump," 16 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'to wit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of to wit

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for to wit

Middle English to witen, literally, to know — more at wit

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with to wit

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