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wiser |
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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