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wise1 definition

wise (wīz)

adjective wiser wis′er, wisest wis′·est

  1. having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent
  2. prompted by wisdom; judicious; sound a wise saying, wise action
  3. having information; informed none the wiser
  4. learned; erudite
  5. shrewd; crafty; cunning
  6. Now Dial. having knowledge of black magic, etc.
  7. ☆ Slang
    1. annoyingly self-assured, knowing, conceited, etc.
    2. impudent; fresh

Etymology: ME wis < OE, akin to witan, to know, OHG wis, MDu wijs < PGmc *wisa-, wise < IE *weid- < base *w(e)di-, to see, know > Sans vēdas, knowledge, Gr idris, knowing, L videre, to see

Related Forms:

wise Idioms

be (or get) wise to

☆
Slang to be (or become) aware of; have (or attain) a proper understanding of

get wise

☆ Slang
  1. to become aware of the true facts or circumstances
  2. to become impudent

put someone wise (to)

☆
Slang to give someone information, an explanation, etc. (about); enlighten someone (concerning)

wise up

☆
Slang to make or become informed, insightful, etc.
wise2 definition

wise (wīz)

noun

way; manner: used chiefly in such phrases as in no wise and in this wise

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger weise (orig. sense prob. “appearance”): for IE base see wise

wise3 definition

wise (wīz)

transitive verb wised, wising wis′·ing

  1. to direct or guide
  2. to convey or conduct

Etymology: ME wisen < OE wisian, akin to ON visa, Goth (fulla-)weisjan, OHG wisen < base of wise

Wise definition

Wise (wīz)

  1. Wise, Stephen Samuel 1874-1949; U.S. rabbi & Jewish leader, born in Hungary
  2. Wise, Thomas James 1859-1937; Eng. bibliophile, editor, & forger

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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