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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Wise

Wise, a.

adjective

a. [compar. WISER; superl. WISEST.] [A-S., O. Sax., O. Fries., & L. Ger. wīs, Icel. & Sw. vís, Dan. vīs, D. wijs, wijze, O. H. Ger. wīs, wīsī, M. H. Ger. wīs, wīse, N. H. Ger. weise, Goth. weis; allied to wit, v. i., q. v.]

Sense 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.

Sense 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.

Sense 3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.

Fol. 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.

Sense 4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [Rare.]

Nor, on the other side, Will I be so 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.

Sense 5. Godly; pious; religious.

From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. iii. 15.

Sense 6. Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing wisdom; judicious; well adapted to produce good effects; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination; becoming a wise man; grave; discreet; as, wise deportment.

One eminent in wise deport spake much. Milton.

Wise in years, old enough to be wise; having acquired wisdom by age; wise from age and experience; hence, aged; old. [Obs.]

A very grave, stale 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, n.

noun

n. [A-S. & L. Ger. wīse, O. Sax. wīsa, O. Fries. wīs, D. wijs, Icel. vísa, Sw. vís, Dan. viis, O. H. Ger. wisa, wis, M. H. Ger. wise, wis, N. H. Ger. weise, allied to A-S. wisian, wissian, to instruct, show, direct, govern. Cf. GUISE.] Way of being or acting; manner; mode. “All armed in complete wise.” Spenser.

This song she sings in most commanding wise. Sidney.

Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused be, or spilt in profane wise. Fairfax.

☞ This word is nearly obsolete, except as used in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, on this wise, and the like. “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.

☞ Wise is often used in composition, as in likewise, otherwise, lengthwise, &c., in which ways is often erroneously substituted for it; as, otherways, lengthways, and the like.