WISE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Wise

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/waɪz/ Listen

adjective

Wise adj. (compar. wiser; superl. wisest)

1.

Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned. "They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."

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. "When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks." "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation."

3.

Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination. "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?"

4.

Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. (R.) "Thou art... no novice, but a governor wily and wise." "Nor, on the other side, Will I be penuriously wise As to make money, that's my slave, my idol." "Lords do not care for me: I am too wise to die yet."

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."

To make it wise, to make it a matter of deliberation. (Obs.) "We thought it was not worth to make it wise."

Wise in years, old enough to be wise; wise from age and experience; hence, aged; old. (Obs.) "A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one; He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth." "You are too wise in years, too full of counsel, For my green experience."

wise adj. Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. "All armed in complete wise." "To love her in my beste wyse." "This song she sings in most commanding wise." "Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused be, or spilt in profane wise." Note: 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." "He shall in no wise lose his reward." " On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel." Note: 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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Etymology of 'Wise'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Wise" Quotes from Famous Books

... Whatever may be the evils under the clan system, and there certainly were such, none caused the oppression and misery which that devoted people have suffered since its abolishment. So far as contentment, happiness, and a wise regard for interest, it would have been better for the masses had the old system continued. As a matter of fact, however, those who emigrated found a greater latitude and brighter ...

— An Historical Account of the Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America • J. P. MacLean

... Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this Fund has grown from an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu, because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its dependence ...

— The 2004 CIA World Factbook • United States. Central Intelligence Agency

... confidence, nor comfort, nor repose. Always vigilant and always urgent, until a proposition for compromise or a negotiation between the parties ensued. 'Now move slow (he would say); never negotiate in a hurry.' I remember a remark he made on this subject, which appeared to be original and wise. There is a saying, 'Never put off till tomorrow what you can do to-day.' 'This is a maxim,' said he, 'for sluggards. A better reading of the maxim is—Never do to-day what you can as well do to-morrow; because something may occur to make ...

— Memoirs of Aaron Burr, Complete • Matthew L. Davis

... the garden, and told John Halifax all. He listened with his hand on my shoulder, and his grave, sweet look—dearer sympathy than any words! Though he added thereto a few, in his own wise way; then he and I, also, drew the curtain over an inevitable grief, and laid it in the ...

— John Halifax, Gentleman • Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

... disaster, just as little Bertie's did. But the society is busy all the time, collecting and storing away the things that may be needed at a moment's notice. People would contribute, of course, even if there were no society to take charge of their donations, but without its wise hands to ...

— The Story of the Red Cross as told to The Little Colonel • Annie Fellows-Johnston

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