Web 2.0 → Homepage → Wise

Wise

Wise Wise, a. [Compar. Wiser; superl. Wisest.] [OE. wis, AS. w[=i]s; akin to OS. & OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. w[=i]s, w[=i]si, Icel. v[=i]ss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See Wit, v., and cf. Righteous, Wisdom.] [1913 Webster] 1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned. [1913 Webster]

They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. --Jer. iv. 22. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper; choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them; sagacious. [1913 Webster]

When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. --2 Tim. iii. 15. [1913 Webster]

3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination. [1913 Webster]

Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she s gone. Sim. Pray you, sir, was t not the wise woman of Brentford? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [R.] ``Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and wise. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Nor, on the other side, Will I be penuriously wise As to make money, that s my slave, my idol. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

Lords do not care for me: I am too wise to die yet. --Ford. [1913 Webster]

5. Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing or exhibiting wisdom; well adapted to produce good effects; judicious; discreet; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination. ``Eminent in wise deport. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{To make it wise}, to make it a matter of deliberation. [Obs.] `` We thought it was not worth to make it wise. --Chaucer.

{Wise in years}, old enough to be wise; wise from age and experience; hence, aged; old. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one; He s wise in years, and of a temperate warmth. --Ford. [1913 Webster]

You are too wise in years, too full of counsel, For my green experience. --Ford. [1913 Webster]

Wise Wise, a. [OE. wise, AS. w[=i]se; akin to OS. w[=i]sa, OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. w[=i]sa, G. weise, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Icel. ["o]?ruv[=i]s otherwise; from the root of E. wit; hence, originally, knowledge, skill. See Wit, v., and cf. Guise.] Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. ``All armed in complete wise. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

To love her in my beste wyse. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

This song she sings in most commanding wise. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused be, or spilt in profane wise. --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]

Note: This word is nearly obsolete, except in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, on this wise, etc. `` Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. --Ps. xxxvii. 8. ``He shall in no wise lose his reward. --Matt. x. 42. `` On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel. --Num. vi. 23. [1913 Webster]

Note: Wise is often used as a suffix in composition, as in likewise, nowise, lengthwise, etc., in which words -ways is often substituted with the same sense; as, noways, lengthways, etc. [1913 Webster]