Sā'pi-ent, a.

a. [O. Fr. sapient, Pr. sapient, sapien, Sp., Pg., & It. sapiente, Lat. sapiens, p. pr. of sapere, to taste, to have sense, to know.] 1. Wise; sage; discerning. There the sapient king held dalliance. Milton. 2. Would-be wise; supposing one's self sage; — in irony or contempt. Syn.—Sage; sagacious; knowing; wise; discerning.