An archaic or poetic word for a creature, person, or being, especially a ghostly or magical one; now mainly used in fantasy literature.
From Old English 'wiht' meaning 'creature' or 'being.' Related to German 'Wicht.' The word fell out of everyday use by the 1600s but was preserved in fantasy literature and folklore, especially in phrases like 'barrow-wight' (a ghost).
J.R.R. Tolkien brought back this ancient Old English word when he invented Middle-earth—words like 'barrow-wight' in Lord of the Rings taught millions of people an archaic word that had basically disappeared from English!
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