- Wisest
- Wise Wise, a. [Compar. {Wiser}; superl. {Wisest}.] [OE. wis,
AS. w[=i]s; akin to OS. & OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, G. weise,
OHG. w[=i]s, w[=i]si, Icel. v[=i]ss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis,
Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See {Wit}, v., and cf.
{Righteous}, {Wisdom}.]
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1. 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. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. --2 Tim. iii. 15. [1913 Webster]
3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty. [R.] ``Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and wise.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Nor, on the other side, Will I be penuriously wise As to make money, that's my slave, my idol. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
Lords do not care for me: I am too wise to die yet. --Ford. [1913 Webster]
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.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]
{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.] [1913 Webster]
A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one; He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth. --Ford. [1913 Webster]
You are too wise in years, too full of counsel, For my green experience. --Ford. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
