Introduction to Morphology

A compound word is formed when two existing words are merged to form a new word. 

In English, there are lots of compound words formed from the word 'wit'. 

wit (n)

1. The capacity for inventive thought and quick understanding (intelligence)

2. A natural capacity for using words in a quick and inventive way to create humour

Read the following compound words. What do they mean? 

dim-witted

slow-witted

to outwit

witless

quick-witted

sharp-witted

a halfwit

a dimwit

Now have a look at some expressions with 'wit'. What do you think these mean? Pay attention to the prepositions!

to pit one's wits against someone
to be bored out of one's wits
to live by one's wits
a battle of wits
to gather one's wits
to be beyond the wit of man
to be scared out of one's wits

to be scared / bored witless
to keep your wits about you

to be at one's wits' end

to be at the end of one's wits