A fanciful, ingenious, or witty expression, metaphor, turn of thought, etc.; a stylistic affectation. Later more generally: any elaborate, playful…

A fanciful, ingenious, or witty writing or expression, a ‘conceit’. Obsolete or archaic.

figurative. A witty or cutting remark. Chiefly in pass of pate, pass of wit. rare.

A piece of wit; a witty saying or remark; a smart joke. In earlier use often contemptuous (‘a mean attempt at wit’ (Johnson)), or applied esp. to…

figurative. Sharpness, wit, or penetrativeness of speech, writing, performance, thought, etc.; a… The most effective or salient part of a discourse…

As a count noun: a funny saying, joke, etc.; a witticism. Somewhat rare.

A witticism uttered by or regarded as typical of Samuel Goldwyn, esp. one that incorporates contradictory words or statements.