GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Wise (wīz), a. [Compar. Wiser (wīzˈẽr); superl. Wisest.] [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.]
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1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned.
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They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jer. iv. 22.
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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.
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When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks. Shak.
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From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. iii. 15.
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3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.
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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.
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4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [R.] “Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and wise.” Chaucer.
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Nor, on the other side,
Will I be penuriously wise
As to make money, that's my slave, my idol. Beau. & Fl.
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Lords do not care for me:
I am too wise to die yet. Ford.
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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.
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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.]
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A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one;
He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth. Ford.
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You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,
For my green experience. Ford.
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wise, a. [OE. wise, AS. wīse; akin to OS. wīsa, OFries. wīs, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. wīsa, G. weise, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Icel. öðruvīs 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.
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To love her in my beste wyse. Chaucer.
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This song she sings in most commanding wise. Sir P. Sidney.
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Let not these blessings then, sent from above,
Abused be, or spilt in profane wise. Fairfax.
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☞ 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.
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☞ 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.
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