Wiser

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Wise \Wise\ (w[imac]z), a. [Compar. {Wiser} (w[imac]z"[~e]r);
     superl. {Wisest}.] [OE. wis, AS. w[imac]s; akin to OS. &
     OFries. w[imac]s, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. w[imac]s,
     w[imac]si, Icel. v[imac]ss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis;
     akin to wit, v. i. See {Wit}, v., and cf. {Righteous},
     {Wisdom}.]


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     1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive
        information; erudite; learned.
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              They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have
              no knowledge.                         --Jer. iv. 22.
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     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.
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              When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks.
                                                    --Shak.
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              From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
              which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. --2
                                                    Tim. iii. 15.
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     3. Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous;
        specifically, skilled in divination.
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              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.
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     4. Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.
        [R.] "Thou art . . . no novice, but a governor wily and
        wise." --Chaucer.
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              Nor, on the other side,
              Will I be penuriously wise
              As to make money, that's my slave, my idol. --Beau.
                                                    & Fl.
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              Lords do not care for me:
              I am too wise to die yet.             --Ford.
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     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.
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     {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.]
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              A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one;
              He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth.
                                                    --Ford.
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              You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,
              For my green experience.              --Ford.
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