wise
ADJECTIVE:
1. having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
2. characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent:
a wise decision.
3. possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning; learned; erudite:
wise in the law.
4. having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.:
We are wiser for their explanations.
5. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment.
6. prudent; sensible.
7. shrewd; crafty:
a wise plan.
8. well-informed; erudite.
9. aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase "none the wiser").
10. characterized by wisdom; marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment.
11. exercising or showing sound judgment; prudent:
a wise investor.
12. evidencing or hinting at the possession of inside information; knowing.
13. possessing inside information:
the police got wise to his whereabouts.
14. 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.
15. insolent, smart-alecky, fresh:
a tough kid with a wise mouth.
Examples:
I'm a little wiser now than I was back then; The wisest course of action would be to leave. --Merriam-Webster.
slang:
1. (postpositive often foll by to) in the know, esp possessing inside information (about).
2. mainly US and Canadian. cocksure or insolent.
archaic:
1. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
2. possessing powers of magic.
3. skilled in magic or divination.
Origin:
Adjective: before 900; Middle English (adj.), Old English wīs; cognate with Dutch wijs,German weise,Old Norse vīss,Gothic -weis; akin to wit1. Noun: before 900; Middle English, Old English: way, manner; melody (OE); cognate with Dutch wijze,German Weise manner, melody, Old Norse vīsa short poem, Danish vise ballad; akin to Greek eîdos form, shape. Verb: before 900; Middle English wisen,Old English wīsian to show the way, guide, direct, akin to wīswise1; cognate with Old High German wīsan,Old Norse vīsa. British Dictionary: Adjective: Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise. Noun: Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face. Suffix: Old English -wisan; see wise ². —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of wise: Adjective: before the 12th century. Verb (1): 1905. Noun: before the 12th century. Verb (2): before the 12th century. History and Etymology for wise: Adjective: Middle English wis, from Old English wīs; akin to Old High German wīs wise, Old English witan to know — more at wit. Noun: Middle English, from Old English wīse; akin to Old High German wīsa manner, Greek eidos form, idein to see — more at wit. Verb (2): Middle English, from Old English wīsian; akin to Old Norse vīsa to show the way, Old English wīs wise. Adverb combining form: Middle English, from Old English -wīsan, from wīse manner. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
1. having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
2. characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent:
a wise decision.
3. possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning; learned; erudite:
wise in the law.
4. having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.:
We are wiser for their explanations.
5. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment.
6. prudent; sensible.
7. shrewd; crafty:
a wise plan.
8. well-informed; erudite.
9. aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase "none the wiser").
10. characterized by wisdom; marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment.
11. exercising or showing sound judgment; prudent:
a wise investor.
12. evidencing or hinting at the possession of inside information; knowing.
13. possessing inside information:
the police got wise to his whereabouts.
14. 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.
15. insolent, smart-alecky, fresh:
a tough kid with a wise mouth.
Examples:
I'm a little wiser now than I was back then; The wisest course of action would be to leave. --Merriam-Webster.
slang:
1. (postpositive often foll by to) in the know, esp possessing inside information (about).
2. mainly US and Canadian. cocksure or insolent.
archaic:
1. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
2. possessing powers of magic.
3. skilled in magic or divination.
Origin:
Adjective: before 900; Middle English (adj.), Old English wīs; cognate with Dutch wijs,German weise,Old Norse vīss,Gothic -weis; akin to wit1. Noun: before 900; Middle English, Old English: way, manner; melody (OE); cognate with Dutch wijze,German Weise manner, melody, Old Norse vīsa short poem, Danish vise ballad; akin to Greek eîdos form, shape. Verb: before 900; Middle English wisen,Old English wīsian to show the way, guide, direct, akin to wīswise1; cognate with Old High German wīsan,Old Norse vīsa. British Dictionary: Adjective: Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise. Noun: Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face. Suffix: Old English -wisan; see wise ². —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of wise: Adjective: before the 12th century. Verb (1): 1905. Noun: before the 12th century. Verb (2): before the 12th century. History and Etymology for wise: Adjective: Middle English wis, from Old English wīs; akin to Old High German wīs wise, Old English witan to know — more at wit. Noun: Middle English, from Old English wīse; akin to Old High German wīsa manner, Greek eidos form, idein to see — more at wit. Verb (2): Middle English, from Old English wīsian; akin to Old Norse vīsa to show the way, Old English wīs wise. Adverb combining form: Middle English, from Old English -wīsan, from wīse manner. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.