Whit

A very small particle or amount; a jot. Often used in negative constructions to indicate the complete absence of something. This word suggests an almost imperceptible quantity, conveying the idea of nothingness or an extremely minimal presence. The 'whit' symbolizes the slightest trace, nuance, or detail. Derived from Old English, it has retained its meaning and is primarily found in formal or literary contexts, contributing to a sense of heightened language use and emphasizing the severity or completeness of a lack.

Whit meaning with examples

• Despite his elaborate explanation, I didn't understand a whit of what he was trying to say. It was utterly confusing! The presentation, filled with jargon, left me with not a single clue. His complex diagrams failed me, and I left feeling quite bewildered.
• The accused showed not a whit of remorse for his actions, displaying a cold and unfeeling demeanor. His lack of empathy was chilling, a stark contrast to what the court expected. The witness said the man had a heart of stone with no repentance.
• After hours of searching, we couldn't find a whit of evidence to support the conspiracy theory. The entire claim was based on speculation. Every lead proved to be a dead end; all leads looked inconclusive, and there was no smoking gun.
• Though the storm caused immense damage, the sun emerged without a whit of change. Everything looked normal on the outside even though everything was so chaotic. Despite the powerful forces the storm possessed, it seemed the sun still had the power to persevere.
• His story, filled with dramatic flair, held not a whit of truth, built upon many lies, and fabrications. The exaggerations and manipulations undermined any credibility, but they seemed impossible to decipher, because his stories always fooled everyone.