Definitions for: Wise


[n] a way of doing or being; "in no wise"; "in this wise"
[n] United States religious leader (born in Bohemia) who united reform Jewish organizations in the United States (1819-1900)
[n] United States Jewish leader (born in Hungary) (1874-1949)
[adj] carefully considered; "a considered opinion"
[adj] able to take a broad view of negotiations between states
[adj] marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters; "judicious use of one's money"; "a sensible manager"; "a wise decision"
[adj] having or prompted by wisdom or discernment; "a wise leader"; "a wise and perceptive comment"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


Wise, a. [OE. wise, AS. w[=i]se; akin to OS. w[=i]sa,
OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. w[=i]sa, G. weise, Sw.
vis, Dan. viis, Icel. ["o]?ruv[=i]s otherwise; from the root
of E. wit; hence, originally, knowledge, skill. See Wit,
v., and cf. Guise.]
Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. ``All armed in
complete wise.'' --Spenser.

To love her in my beste wyse. --Chaucer.

This song she sings in most commanding wise. --Sir P.
Sidney.

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

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.'' --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.

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.

Synonyms: advised, all-knowing, considered, diplomatic, Isaac Mayer Wise, judicious, method, omniscient, owlish, perspicacious, prudent, sagacious, sage, sapient, sensible, statesmanlike, statesmanly, Stephen Samuel Wise, well-advised

Antonyms: foolish

See Also: advisable, fashion, manner, mode, politic, religious leader, style, way

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