Wight

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.

© 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.

She was fallen asleep a little wight. Chaucer.

2.

A supernatural being.

Chaucer.

3.

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

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.

'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.