Middle English

Alternative forms

• bilewitte, bilehwit, bilewhit

Adjective

bilewit

1. simple, innocent

Related terms

• bilewitnesse

Old English

Alternative forms

• belewit, bilewet, bylewit, bylwet, bylwit, bylywit

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *biliwit- ‎(“gentle-minded”), from Proto-Germanic *biliz ‎(“merciful, kind”) (from Proto-Indo-European *bhil- ‎(“decent, good”)) + Proto-Germanic *witją ‎(“mind, wit”) (from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- ‎(“to know”)), equivalent to Old English bile- + witt. Related to Middle High German bilwiz ‎(“genius, mischievous person, goblin, witch”), unbil ‎(“unbecoming, improper”).

Adjective

bilewit

1. innocent, simple
2. calm, gentle
3. merciful, gracious
4. plausible

Declension

Derived terms

• bilewitnes

Related terms

• bilehwīt

Descendants

• Middle English: bilewit