twit
1[ twit ]
/ twɪt /
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verb (used with object), twit·ted, twit·ting.
to taunt, tease, ridicule, etc., with reference to anything embarrassing; gibe at.
to reproach or upbraid.
noun
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of twit
1First recorded in 1520–30; shortened variant of obsolete atwite, Middle English atwiten, Old English ætwītan “to taunt,” equivalent to æt- “at” + wītan “to blame”; see at1
Words nearby twit
Definition for twit (2 of 4)
twit2
[ twit ]
/ twɪt /
noun
a weak or thin place in yarn caused by uneven spinning.
Origin of twit
2First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain
Definition for twit (3 of 4)
twit3
[ twit ]
/ twɪt /
noun Informal.
an insignificant, silly, or bothersome person: Pay no attention to that obnoxious little twit!
Definition for twit (4 of 4)
twit4
[ twit ]
/ twɪt /
noun Informal.
a confused, excited state: to be in a twit about company coming.
Origin of twit
4First recorded in 1890–95; probably shortened from twitter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for twit
British Dictionary definitions for twit (1 of 2)
twit1
/ (twɪt) /
verb twits, twitting or twitted
(tr) to tease, taunt, or reproach, often in jest
noun
US and Canadian informal a nervous or excitable state
rare a reproach; taunt
Word Origin for twit
Old English ætwītan, from æt against + wītan to accuse; related to Old High German wīzan to punish
British Dictionary definitions for twit (2 of 2)
twit2
/ (twɪt) /
noun
informal, mainly British a foolish or stupid person; idiot
Word Origin for twit
C19: from twit 1 (originally in the sense: a person given to twitting)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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