pseudo-arch. [Partly from I wist, corrupt form of iwis (see WIS v.2); partly erron. use of pa. t. wist of WIT v.1] To know; in quot. 1594 in pa. pple. = caused to know, informed.
[1508, 1614, 1798, 1893: see WIS v.2]
1580. Lyly, Euphues, 98 b. You gall mee more with these tearmes, then you wist [ed. 1597 wish, 1606 wisse].
1594. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, 255. Samuel now wisted [orig. como ya estaua aduertido], that a great stature was no sure token, caused him to be sent for.
1858. Buckle, Infl. Women Progr. Knowl., Misc. Wks. 1885, I. 68. Though he [sc. Hamlet] wists not of this, he is moved…, and he, like Göthe, takes up a skull, and his speculative faculties begin to work.
