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.]
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.
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.
--Shak.
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. --2
Tim. iii. 15.
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? --Shak.
4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.
[R.]
``Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and
wise.'' --Chaucer.
Nor, on the other side, Will I be 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.
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.
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.]
A very grave, state 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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