witticism

[ wit-uh-siz-uhm ]

/ ˈwɪt əˌsɪz əm /

a witty remark or sentence.

Origin of witticism

1645–55; derivative of witty, modeled on criticism

joke, jest, quip, sally, wisecrack.

Nature fails him; and, being forced to his old shift, he has recourse to witticism.

Essays and Tales |Joseph Addison
Two hundred years later, in the days of Louis XV., people of taste would have laughed at this witticism.

The Works of Honor de Balzac |Honor de Balzac
This witticism ranged all the laughers on Montricourt's side, and even Monsieur Roland decided to admit defeat.

Frdrique; vol. 1 |Charles Paul de Kock
Every one added his witticism, to the effect that it was impossible.

Odette's Marriage |Albert Delpit

The use of the prescribed address "ma'mselle" was evidently regarded as a witticism, for shouts of laughter filled the place.

The False Chevalier |William Douw Lighthall

witticism

/ (ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm) /

a clever or witty remark

C17: from witty; coined by Dryden (1677) by analogy with criticism