GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Wise , a. [Compar. Wiser ; 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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   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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   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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   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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   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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   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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2.       
   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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