Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From a conflation of Old English bilewit (innocent, simple) and bilehwīt (simple, honest, sincere).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈbiləˌʍiːt/, /ˈbiləˌwit/

Adjective edit

bilewit

  1. simple, innocent

Related terms edit

References edit

Old English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-Germanic *biliwit- (gentle-minded), from Proto-Germanic *biliz (merciful, kind) (from Proto-Indo-European *bʰil- (decent, good)) + Proto-Germanic *witją (mind, wit) (from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (to know)), equivalent to Old English bile- + witt. Related to Middle High German bilwiz (genius, mischievous person, goblin, witch), unbil (unbecoming, improper).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

bilewit

  1. innocent, simple
  2. calm, gentle
  3. merciful, gracious
  4. plausible

Declension edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Middle English: bilewit