lackwit

English

Etymology

lack +‎ wit

Noun

lackwit (plural lackwits)

1. A witless person; a fool.
   • 1996, Denise Domning, A Love for All Seasons, page 82:

     Fear flashed through Tom's eyes as the lackwit looked to the housekeeper.

   • 2007, Glen Cook, Lord of the Silent Kingdom:

     “Enunciation, Piper. Enunciation. Don't make people think you're a lackwit.”

Adjective

lackwit (comparative more lackwit, superlative most lackwit)

1. Foolish; idiotic or simple-minded.
   • 1818, Peter Hervé, How to enjoy Paris, page 257:

     An evil, however, accompanied the benefit; shoals of worthless authors sprang up, and you may still perceive the garreteer drawing upon his lackwit brain for some production, the labour of which he expects will be paid by the declaration of his country, that a second Boileau, a Montesquieu, or a Racine has at length appeared.

   • 2016, Isolde Martyn, The Knight and the Rose:

     One wall was painted with the story of St Robert the hermit and his persecution by Sir William de Stuteville, while the other depicted the cowherd Caedmon, albeit looking too lackwit to herd a hen let alone wax lyrical.

   • 2018, Chris Claremont, George Lucas, Shadow Dawn:

     Your fault for bein' so lackwit, ours for givin' you leave.