witticise

English

Alternative forms

• witticize (US)

Etymology

Back formation from witticism, modelled after the analogy of criticise from criticism.

Verb

witticise (third-person singular simple present witticises, present participle witticising, simple past and past participle witticised)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To express oneself wittily; to indulge in witticisms.
   • 2007, Andrea Stuart, The Rose of Martinique:

     Here she entertained a learned and decadent group of dissenters who gathered to discuss politics, flirt and witticize.