wight

¹

[ wahyt ]

noun

1. a human being.
2. Obsolete.
   1. a supernatural being, as a witch or sprite.
   2. any living being; a creature.

wight

²

[ wahyt ]

adjective

, British Dialect.

1. strong and brave, especially in war.
2. active; nimble.

Wight

³

[ wahyt ]

noun

1. Isle of, an island off the S coast of England, forming an administrative division of Hampshire. 147 sq. mi. (381 sq. km). : Newport.

wight

¹

/ waɪt /

noun

1. archaic.
   a human being

Wight

²

/ waɪt /

noun

1. Isle of Wight
   an island and county of S England in the English Channel. Administrative centre: Newport. Pop: 136 300 (2003 est). Area: 380 sq km (147 sq miles)

wight

³

/ waɪt /

adjective

1. archaic.
   strong and brave; valiant

Word History and Origins

Origin of wight¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English wiht; cognate with German Wicht, Old Norse vēttr, Gothic waiht

Origin of wight²

1175–1225; Middle English < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse vīgt, neuter of vīgr able to fight

Word History and Origins

Origin of wight¹

Old English wiht; related to Old Frisian āwet something, Old Norse vǣttr being, Gothic waihts thing, German Wicht small person

Origin of wight²

C13: from Old Norse vigt; related to Old English wīg battle, Latin vincere to conquer

Example Sentences

What would have been the most minor behaviors a week ago — the unprotected high-five, the leaned-in whisper, the detective getting in a suspect’s face — now seem as otherworldly as wights and flying dragons.

From New York Times

Come the spring, I’m off to either Brownsea Island or the Isle of wight and will report back.

From The Guardian

Poor Edd was stabbed in the gut and was briefly resurrected as a wight later on.

From New York Times

The country singer is a big fan of the show and made his debut as a wildling that gets turned into a wight at the big Battle of Winterfell.

From Fox News

Theon jumps back and forth between firing arrows and swinging a spear to defeat any wights that come toward Bran’s body.

From The Verge

Related Words

• body
• character
• child
• creature
• individual
• life
• mortal