Wiss

Alternative forms

• wis

Origin

Perhaps an alteration of wis, taken from the incorrect division of iwis (which means "sure(ly), certain(ly)", from Middle English iwis, ywis ("sure(ly), certain(ly)"), from Old English gewis ("certain, positive, sure")) as "I wis(s) ", which was mistaken for a verb. Perhaps from (certainly akin to) Old English witan ("to know"). See wit.

Full definition of wiss

Verb

1. (archaic) To know, to understand.
• 1652, Elias Ashmole, Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum:Now with their might they downe me pull, and bring me where they woll, the Blood of myne heart I wiss now causeth both Joy and blisse.
• 1874, Dodsley et al., A Select Collection of Old English Plays:And though that the water be gross and heavy, yet nothing so gross as the earth, I wiss; therefore by heat it is vapoured up lightly, and in the air maketh clouds and mists.