after-witn.
/ˈɑːftəwɪt/, /ˈaftəwɪt/, U.S. /ˈæftərˌwɪt/ Now archaic and rare.† 1. Recognition of a mistake made earlier, leading to a change in one's actions, views, etc. Obsolete.† 3. Knowledge accrued in later times, esp. in a later period of one's life; knowledge held by those who come later. Also in plural. Obsolete.† 4. Fresh consideration of something previously written. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > [noun] > recovered sanity
after-wit1509
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xx. v Who that is ruled by her higher estate, Of hys after wytte shall never be shent.
1596 A. Copley Fig for Fortune 13 What ere is lost with fore-wits vnpreuention Win it againe with after-wits contention.
1661 G. Swinnock Door of Salvation 101 Μετάνοια signifieth..after-wit, a change of mind, or making wise for the future.
2. Wisdom acquired after the event, typically too late to be of use; the fact of acquiring wisdom in this way; an instance of this. Frequently proverbially and in plural in early use. Cf. earlier fore-wit n. 1 and man of after-wits n. at man n.1 Phrases 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > [noun] > after the event
after-wit1546
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. viii. sig. C Yet is one good forewyt worth two after wits.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse To Rdr. sig. ☞6v Afterwittes are euer best, burnt Children dread the fier.
1586 G. Whitney Choice of Emblemes i. 3 After witts, are like a shower of rayne Which moistes the soile, when withered is the graine.
1656 J. Trapp Comm. New Test. (ed. 2) (Matt. xxv. 11) 304 Jehoshaphat in temporals was ever wise too late..and payd for his after-wit.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables clxii. 132 After-Wit comes too Late when the Mischief is Done.
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) Prov. After wit is everybody's wit!
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. xii. 63 Scrapes and difficulties, which no after-wit can extricate thee out of.
?1765 B. Wallin Lect. on Primitive Christianity xxiii. 380 The word [‘repent’] signifies afterwit, and alludes to the madness of those who depart from the Lord.
1803 J. Davis Trav. U.S.A. x. 380 He wished that he had sent him to Britain for his education; but after-wit is of no use.
1860 R. F. Burton Lake Regions Central Afr. I. viii. 179 The Arab with his usual after-wit found out, [etc.].
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. I. ii. 87 You and I, Being wise with after-wit, had clapped our hands.
1921 Everybody's Mag. Jan. 23/2 Besides, after-wit is like the spilled pail of milk—quite in vain!
1960 Critic Oct.–Nov. 83/1 Again the child in the Womb lies wooden..—the after-wit is cordial In the ancient silence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > [noun] > mature
after-wit1577
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Oiijv Compare your former luste, vnto your after witte, For wisedome sayes for Vertues schoole dame Follie is not fitte.
a1600 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie (1648) vi. 104 But the after-wit of latter days hath found out another more exquisite distinction.
1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes 12 Those, that have now attained their after-wits.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 156 Your after-wit is like to be your best.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > reconsideration > [noun]
rethinking1579
second thoughts1581
recogitationc1591
reconsideration1606
after-wit1607
after-meditation1626
after-counsel1634
remeditation1642
afterthought1647
after-consideration1693
after-rumination1830
retake1922
rethink1958
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 181 Which delay hath made [the pamphlet] somewhat better and Deuterai phrontides, after wit more meete to be perused.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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