Wise

• POS: Adjective, Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Wise, a. [OE. wis, AS. wīs; akin to OS. & OFries. wīs, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. wīs, wīsi, Icel. vīss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See Wit, v., and cf. Righteous, Wisdom.].

•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]

  "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation."  [1913 Webster]
•  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?"  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]

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

  "Lords do not care for me:
  I am too wise to die yet."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  Milton.  [1913 Webster]

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

  "You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,
  For my green experience."  [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.]

Wise, a. [OE. wise, AS. wīse; akin to OS. wīsa, OFries. wīs, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. wīsa, G. weise, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Icel. öruvīs 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.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]
" 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]
" 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]
"To love her in my beste wyse."  [1913 Webster]
"This song she sings in most commanding wise."  [1913 Webster]
"Let not these blessings then, sent from above,
Abused be, or spilt in profane wise."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Wise, adj. & v.
--adj.
1 a having experience and knowledge and judiciously applying them. b (of an action, behaviour, etc.) determined by or showing or in harmony with such experience and knowledge.
2 sagacious, prudent, sensible, discreet.
3 having knowledge.
4 suggestive of wisdom (with a wise nod of the head).
5 US colloq. a alert, crafty. b (often foll. by to) having (usu. confidential) information (about).
--v.tr. & intr. (foll. by up) esp. US colloq. put or get wise.

Idiom

be (or get) wise to colloq. become aware of. no (or none the or not much) wiser knowing no more than before. put a person wise (often foll. by to) colloq. inform a person (about). wise after the event able to understand and assess an event or circumstance after its implications have become obvious. wise guy colloq. a know-all. wise man a wizard, esp. one of the Magi. wise saw a proverbial saying. without anyone's being the wiser undetected.

Derivative

wisely adv.

Wise, n. archaic way, manner, or degree (in solemn wise; on this wise).

Idiom

in no wise not at all.

Etymology

OE wise f. Gmc f. WIT(2)

THESAURUS

Wise

MO, abstruse, acute, advantageous, advisable, alert, algorithm, all-knowing, angle, apperceptive, appercipient, apprehending, apprehensive, approach, appropriate, arrogant, artful, aspect, astute, attack, aware, becoming, befitting, biggety, bold, bold-faced, brash, bright, broad-minded, cagey, canny, cheeky, civilized, cocky, cogitative, cognizant, comprehending, configuration, congruous, conscious, contemplative, convenient, course, crafty, cultivated, cultured, cunning, decent, deep, desirable, discerning, discreet, educated, effect, eidolon, encyclopedic, erudite, expedient, facet, fashion, favorable, feasible, feature, felicitous, figure, fit, fitten, fitting, flip, flippant, foresighted, form, forward, fresh, fructuous, gestalt, gnostic, good, grasping, guise, happy, hardheaded, hep, hoaxproof, image, imago, impertinent, impression, impudent, insightful, insolent, intelligent, intuitive, judicious, keen, knowing, knowledgeable, learned, lettered, light, likely, likeness, line, line of action, lineaments, lines, lippy, literate, look, manner, manner of working, means, meet, method, methodology, mindful, mode, mode of operation, mode of procedure, modus, modus operandi, nervy, nimble-witted, not born yesterday, omniscient, on the beam, opportune, order, pansophic, perceptive, percipient, perspicacious, pert, phase, phasis, politic, polyhistoric, polymath, polymathic, practical, practice, prehensile, procacious, procedure, proceeding, process, profitable, profound, proper, provident, prudent, quick, quick-witted, realistic, recommendable, reference, reflective, regard, respect, right, routine, sagacious, sage, sane, sapient, sassy, saucy, scholarly, scholastic, seasonable, seeming, seemly, semblance, sensible, sensing, shape, sharp, sharp-witted, shrewd, side, simulacrum, slant, slick, slippery, smart, smart-alecky, smooth, sophic, sophisticated, sortable, steel-trap, studious, style, suitable, system, tack, tactical, technique, the drill, the how, the way of, thoughtful, timely, to be desired, tone, total effect, tough-minded, tricky, twist, uncullible, undeceivable, undeludable, understanding, undupable, unfoolable, ungullible, unhoaxable, unseduceable, useful, view, viewpoint, way, well-timed, wily, wise as Solomon, worthwhile

ROGET THESAURUS

Wise

Method

N method, way, manner, wise, gait, form, mode, fashion, tone, guise, modus operandi, MO, procedure, path, road, route, course, line of way, line of road, trajectory, orbit, track, beat, tack, steps, stair, staircase, flight of stairs, ladder, stile, perron, bridge, footbridge, viaduct, pontoon, steppingstone, plank, gangway, drawbridge, pass, ford, ferry, tunnel, pipe, door, gateway, channel, passage, avenue, means of access, approach, adit, artery, lane, loan, alley, aisle, lobby, corridor, back-door, back-stairs, secret passage, covert way, vennel, roadway, pathway, stairway, express, thoroughfare, highway, turnpike, freeway, royal road, coach road, broad highway, King's highway, Queen's highway, beaten track, beaten path, horse road, bridle road, bridle track, bridle path, walk, trottoir, footpath, pavement, flags, sidewalk, crossroad, byroad, bypath, byway, cut, short cut carrefour, private road, occupation road, highways and byways, railroad, railway, tram road, tramway, towpath, causeway, canal, street, speedway, adv, how, in what way, in what manner, by what mode, so, in this way, after this fashion, one way or another, anyhow, somehow or other, by way of, via, in transitu, on the high road to, hae tibi erunt artes.

Wisdom

N intelligence, wisdom, intelligence, capacity, comprehension, understanding, cuteness, sabe, savvy, intellect, nous, parts, sagacity, mother wit, wit, esprit, gumption, quick parts, grasp of intellect, acuteness, acumen, subtlety, penetration, perspicacy, perspicacity, discernment, due sense of, good judgment, discrimination, cunning, refinement, head, brains, headpiece, upper story, long head, eagle eye, eagle- glance, eye of a lynx, eye of a hawk, wisdom, sapience, sense, good sense, common sense, horse sense, plain sense, rationality, reason, reasonableness, judgment, solidity, depth, profundity, caliber, enlarged views, reach of thought, compass of thought, enlargement of mind, genius, inspiration, geist, fire of genius, heaven-born genius, soul, talent, prudence, vigilance, tact, foresight, sobriety, self-possession, aplomb, ballast, a bright thought, not a bad idea, Solomon-like wisdom, intelligent, quick of apprehension, keen, acute, alive, brainy, awake, bright, quick, sharp, quick witted, keen witted, clear witted, sharp-eyed, sharp sighted, sharp witted, wide- awake, canny, shrewd, astute, clear-headed, farsighted, discerning, perspicacious, penetrating, piercing, argute, quick-witted, nimble-witted, needle-witted, sharp as a needle, sharp as a tack, alive to, clever, arch, pas si bete, acute, wise, sage, sapient, sagacious, reasonable, rational, sound, in one's right mind, sensible, abnormis sapiens, judicious, strong- minded, unprejudiced, unbiased, unbigoted, unprepossessed, undazzled, unperplexed, unwarped judgment, impartial, equitable, fair, cool, cool-headed, long-headed, hardheaded, strong-headed, long- sighted, calculating, thoughtful, reflecting, solid, deep, profound, oracular, heaven-directed, heaven-born, prudent, sober, stand, solid, considerate, politic, wise in one's generation, watchful, provident, in advance of one' age, wise as a serpent, wise as Solomon, wise as Solon, wise, sensible, reasonable, judicious, well- thought-out, well-planned, well-judged, well-advised, prudent, politic, expedient, aut regem aut fatuum nasci oportet, but with the morning cool reflection came, flosculi sententiarum, les affaires font les hommes, mas vale saber que haber, mas vale ser necio que profiadol nemo solus sapit, nosce te, gnothi seauton, nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit, sapere aude, victrix fortunae sapientia, intelligence, wisdom, intelligence, capacity, comprehension, understanding, cuteness, sabe, savvy, intellect, nous, parts, sagacity, mother wit, wit, esprit, gumption, quick parts, grasp of intellect, acuteness, acumen, subtlety, penetration, perspicacy, perspicacity, discernment, due sense of, good judgment, discrimination, cunning, refinement, head, brains, headpiece, upper story, long head, eagle eye, eagle- glance, eye of a lynx, eye of a hawk, wisdom, sapience, sense, good sense, common sense, horse sense, plain sense, rationality, reason, reasonableness, judgment, solidity, depth, profundity, caliber, enlarged views, reach of thought, compass of thought, enlargement of mind, genius, inspiration, geist, fire of genius, heaven-born genius, soul, talent, prudence, vigilance, tact, foresight, sobriety, self-possession, aplomb, ballast, a bright thought, not a bad idea, Solomon-like wisdom, intelligent, quick of apprehension, keen, acute, alive, brainy, awake, bright, quick, sharp, quick witted, keen witted, clear witted, sharp-eyed, sharp sighted, sharp witted, wide- awake, canny, shrewd, astute, clear-headed, farsighted, discerning, perspicacious, penetrating, piercing, argute, quick-witted, nimble-witted, needle-witted, sharp as a needle, sharp as a tack, alive to, clever, arch, pas si bete, acute, wise, sage, sapient, sagacious, reasonable, rational, sound, in one's right mind, sensible, abnormis sapiens, judicious, strong- minded, unprejudiced, unbiased, unbigoted, unprepossessed, undazzled, unperplexed, unwarped judgment, impartial, equitable, fair, cool, cool-headed, long-headed, hardheaded, strong-headed, long- sighted, calculating, thoughtful, reflecting, solid, deep, profound, oracular, heaven-directed, heaven-born, prudent, sober, stand, solid, considerate, politic, wise in one's generation, watchful, provident, in advance of one' age, wise as a serpent, wise as Solomon, wise as Solon, wise, sensible, reasonable, judicious, well- thought-out, well-planned, well-judged, well-advised, prudent, politic, expedient, aut regem aut fatuum nasci oportet, but with the morning cool reflection came, flosculi sententiarum, les affaires font les hommes, mas vale saber que haber, mas vale ser necio que profiadol nemo solus sapit, nosce te, gnothi seauton, nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit, sapere aude, victrix fortunae sapientia.