1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 

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