wise

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīse; akin to Old High German wīsa manner, Greek eidos form, idein to see — more at wit Date: before 12th century manner, way <

in any wise

> II. adjective (wiser; wisest) Etymology: Middle English wis, from Old English wīs; akin to Old High German wīs wise, Old English witan to know — more at wit Date: before 12th century 1. a. characterized by wisdom ; marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment b. exercising or showing sound judgment ; prudent <

a wise investor

> 2. a. evidencing or hinting at the possession of inside information ; knowing b. possessing inside information <

the police got wise to his whereabouts

> c. crafty, shrewd d. aware of or informed about a particular matter — usually used in the comparative in negative constructions with the <

was none the wiser about their plans

> 3. archaic skilled in magic or divination 4. insolent, smart-alecky, fresh <

a tough kid with a wise mouth

> • wisely adverb • wiseness noun Synonyms: wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment. wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them <

wise beyond his tender years

>. sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom <

the sage advice of my father

>. sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment <

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

>. judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions <

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

>. prudent suggests exercise of the restraint of sound practical wisdom and discretion <

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

>. sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality <

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

>. sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness <

remained sane even in times of crises

>. III. verb (wised; wising) Date: 1905 transitive verb to give instruction or information to ; teach — usually used with up <

wise him up about procedures

> intransitive verb to become informed or knowledgeable ; learn — used with up IV. transitive verb (wised; wising) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīsian; akin to Old Norse vīsa to show the way, Old English wīs wise Date: before 12th century 1. chiefly Scottish a. direct, guide b. advise, persuade 2. chiefly Scottish to divert or impel in a given direction ; send