different between witless vs asinine

English

Etymology

From Middle English witles, from Old English witl?as (“senseless; witless”), from Proto-Germanic *witjalausaz (“witless”), equivalent to wit +? -less. Cognate with Swedish vettlös (“senseless; witless; wild”), Icelandic vitlaus (“senseless; witless; foolish; mad”).

Adjective

witless (comparative more witless, superlative most witless)

1. Lacking wit or understanding
2. indiscreet; not using clear and sound judgment.

Usage notes

• This term is frequently found in phrases such as scared witless, witless with fear, and so on.

Antonyms

• witful

Derived terms

• witlessly
• witlessness

Translations

References

witless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

• Wiltses, twissel

English

Etymology

From Latin asin?nus (“of a donkey or ass”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?æs.?.na?n/, /?æs.?.na?n/
• Rhymes: -a?n

Adjective

asinine (comparative more asinine, superlative most asinine)

1. Very foolish; failing to exercise intelligence or judgement or rationality

   Synonyms: foolish, obstinate

2. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of donkeys
   • 1881, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, The Ingenious Knight: Don Quixote de la Mancha (page 84)

     Don Quixote had put himself but a little way ayont the village of Don Diego, when he encountered two apparent priests, or students, and two husbandmen, who came mounted on four asinine beasts.

   Synonym: donkeyish

Synonyms

• asinary (obsolete)
• assy (informal)

Derived terms

Related terms

• asinicide

Translations

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.zi.nin/
• Homophone: asinines

Adjective

asinine

1. feminine singular of asinin

Italian

Adjective

asinine

1. feminine plural of asinino

Anagrams

• insanie

Latin

Adjective

asin?ne

1. vocative masculine singular of asin?nus