Wise a. [Compar. Wiser superl. Wisest.]
1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned.
They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. --Jer. iv. 22.
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.
When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks. --Shak.
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. --2 Tim. iii. 15.
3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.
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.
4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [R.] “Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and wise.”
Nor, on the other side,
Will I be penuriously wise
As to make money, that's my slave, my idol. --Beau. & Fl.
Lords do not care for me:
I am too wise to die yet. --Ford.
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.”
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.]
A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one;
He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth. --Ford.
You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,
For my green experience. --Ford.
wise, a. Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. “All armed in complete wise.”
To love her in my beste wyse. --Chaucer.
This song she sings in most commanding wise. --Sir P. Sidney.
Let not these blessings then, sent from above,
Abused be, or spilt in profane wise. --Fairfax.
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.
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.
adj 1: having or prompted by wisdom or discernment; "a wise
leader"; "a wise and perceptive comment" [ant: foolish]
2: marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in
practical matters; "judicious use of one's money"; "a
sensible manager"; "a wise decision" [syn: judicious, sensible]
3: evidencing the possession of inside information [syn: knowing,
wise(p), wise to(p)]
4: able to take a broad view of negotiations between states
5: carefully considered; "a considered opinion" [syn: considered]
n 1: a way of doing or being; "in no wise"; "in this wise"
2: United States Jewish leader (born in Hungary) (1874-1949)
[syn: Stephen Samuel Wise]
3: United States religious leader (born in Bohemia) who united
reform Jewish organizations in the United States
(1819-1900) [syn: Isaac Mayer Wise]