A wight is an undead creature that is said to resemble a very icky-looking humanoid. They have filthy claws, sparse, thin hair, and their eyes are devoid of pupils (if present at all). They are a fairly powerful form of undead, as they can drain experience levels from other creatures on a successful hit (in AD&D).

In NetHack, the wight is referred to by its more specific name, 'barrow wight' -- this makes sense as wights were supposed to inhabit certain types of graves and/or cemeteries according to old legends. They are significantly less of a threat in NetHack than they are in AD&D. In both systems, wights are affected by holy water and undead turning abilities. In AD&D, curative magic can be used against wights (as with certain other types of undead).

Wight (?), n.

Weight.

[Obs.]

 

© Webster 1913.


Wight, n. [OE. wight, wiht, a wight, a whit, AS. wiht, wuht, a creature, a thing; skin to D. wicht a child, OS. & OHG. wiht a creature, thing, G. wicht a creature, Icel. vaett a wight, vaett a whit, Goth. wa�xa1;hts, wa�xa1;ht, thing; cf. Russ. veshche a thing. . Cf. Whit.]

1.

A whit; a bit; a jot.

[Obs.]

She was fallen asleep a little wight. Chaucer.

2.

A supernatural being.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

3.

A human being; a person, either male or female; -- now used chiefly in irony or burlesque, or in humorous language.

"Worst of all wightes."

Chaucer.

Every wight that hath discretion. Chaucer.

Oh, say me true if thou wert mortal wight. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.


Wight, a. [OE. wight, wiht, probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. vigr in fighting condition, neut. vigh vig war, akin to AS. wig See Vanquish.]

Swift; nimble; agile; strong and active.

[Obs. or Poetic]

'T is full wight, God wot, as is a roe. Chaucer.

He was so wimble and so wight. Spenser.

They were Night and Day, and Day and Night, Pilgrims wight with steps forthright. Emerson.

 

© Webster 1913.

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