The proper spelling of the word "wittow" is actually "widow." The incorrect spelling may have arisen due to regional dialects or mispronunciations of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, "widow" is pronounced as /ˈwɪdoʊ/ with stress on the first syllable. The "w" sound is followed by a short "i" sound, and then a long "o" sound. This phonetic transcription can help individuals pronounce the word correctly and avoid confusion or misspelling.
The word "wittow" is believed to have originated from Middle English, specifically from the phrase "wif þe wytte" which translates to "wife with the wight". "Wif" meant "woman" or "wife", while "wytte" meant "mind" or "intelligence". Over time, "wif þe wytte" evolved into "wittow", which then came to be used as a term for a woman who has lost her husband. This shift in meaning is thought to have occurred due to the association of widowhood with a loss of protection and reliance on personal wit or intelligence to navigate the world.