to wit

Idioms  

1. That is to say, namely, as in There are three good reasons for not going, to wit, we don't want to, we don't have to, and we can't get a reservation. This expression comes from the now archaic verb to wit, meaning “know or be aware of,” not heard except in this usage. [Late 1500s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

to wit

Thursday night’s affair was an exercise in affirmation, underscoring much of what we’ve already grasped, to wit:

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

Mr. Whittington typified the breed of Texan known as the good ol’ boy, a traditional Lone Star tribute to wit, understatement and loyalty.

From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2023

In fact, he pointed it out so often that it has become known as "Orgel's second rule" — to wit, evolution is cleverer than you are.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2022

First, a reminder that our scale is different from Yelp’s — to wit:

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2019

Observe that Hazlitt has transferred to wit that power of pleasing as by a flattering sense of our own superiority which Goldsmith attributed to humour.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8 "Hudson River" to "Hurstmonceaux" by Various

Related Words

• especially
• i.e.
• particularly
• specially
• specifically