Etymology : Middle English, from Old English wIse; akin to Old High German wIsa manner, Greek eidos form, idein to see; more at WIT
Pronunciation : wIz
Function : noun
Date : before 12th century
1. manner, way, form. conj. in the manner of, in the position or direction of (edgewise, clockwise, etc.); with regard to. instruct, guide (Scottish); direct; advise (Scottish); bring to the attention of (Slang). intelligent; clever; smart; cautious; skilled; learned; impudent (Slang). wise\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.].
2. having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned. they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. iv.
3. 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. iii.
4. 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?.
5. 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. & fl. lords do not care for me: i am too wise to die yet.
6. 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.".
7. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned.
8. 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.
9. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.
10. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.
11. 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.
12. Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. a way of doing or being; "in no wise"; "in this wise" United States religious leader who united reform Jewish organizations in the United States United States Jewish leader having or prompted by wisdom or discernment; "a wise leader"; "a wise and perceptive comment".
13. 1. A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments. She has the air of a wise woman ¡Ù foolish + wisely wise·ly The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.
14. A wise action or decision is sensible. She had made a very wise decision It is wise to seek help and counsel as soon as possible. = sensible + wisely wise·ly They've invested their money wisely Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.
15. If you get wise to something, you find out about it, especially when someone has been trying to keep it secret. Dealers have already got wise to the trend and increased their prices accordingly. Hungarian-born American religious leader who was an ardent Zionist and founded the World Jewish Congress (1936). Method or manner of doing; way: in no wise; in any wise. wise up to realize the truth about a bad situation. Yaroslav the Wise Alfonso the Wise Charles the Wise man the wise Wise Isaac Mayer Wise Stephen Samuel.