wise 1
(wīz)adj. wis·er,
wis·est 1. Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious: a wise leader.
2. a. Exhibiting common sense; prudent: a wise decision.
b. Shrewd; crafty: made a wise move selling the house when he did.
3. Provided with information; informed. Often used with to: I'm wise to your tricks. We were none the wiser after reading the report.
4. Slang Rude and disrespectful; impudent.
Phrasal Verb: wise up Slang To make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.
wise′ly adv.
wise′ness n.
wise 2
(wīz)n. Method or manner of doing; way: in no wise; in any wise.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wise
(waɪz) adj1. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment
2. prudent; sensible
3. shrewd; crafty: a wise plan.
4. well-informed; erudite
5. aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase none the wiser)
6. slang (often foll by: to) in the know, esp possessing inside information (about)
7. (Alternative Belief Systems) archaic possessing powers of magic
8. slang chiefly US and Canadian cocksure or insolent
9. be wise get wise (often foll by to) informal to be or become aware or informed (of something) or to face up (to facts)
10. put wise (often foll by to) slang to inform or warn (of)
[Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise]
ˈwisely adv
ˈwiseness n
wise
(waɪz) narchaic way, manner, fashion, or respect (esp in the phrases any wise, in no wise)
[Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
wise1
(waɪz)
adj. wis•er, wis•est, adj. 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. knowing; informed: to be the wiser for it.
5. Archaic. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
v. 6. wise up, Slang. to make or become aware or enlightened.
Idioms: 1. be or get wise to, Slang. to be or become cognizant of; learn.
2. get wise, Slang. a. to become informed.
b. to be presumptuous or impertinent.
3. put or set someone wise,Slang. to inform someone, esp. about confidential information.
[before 900; Middle English (adj.), Old English
wīs, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old High German
wīs, Old Norse
vīss, Gothic
-weis; akin to
wit1]
wise′ly, adv.
wise2
(waɪz)
n. way of proceeding or considering; manner; fashion (usu. used in combination or in certain phrases): otherwise; in no wise.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English
wīse way, manner, melody, c. Old Saxon
wīsa, Old High German
wīs(a), Old Norse
vīsa; akin to Greek
eîdos form, shape, and to
wit2]
wise3
(waɪz)
v.t. wised, wis•ing. Chiefly Scot. 1. a. to instruct.
b. to induce or advise.
c. to show the way to; guide.
2. to direct the course of; cause to turn.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English
wīsian, akin to
wīs wise1; c. Old High German
wīsan, Old Norse
vīsa]
Wise
(waɪz)
n. 1. Isaac Mayer, 1819–1900, U.S. rabbi, born in Bohemia: founder of Reform Judaism in the U.S.
2. Stephen Samuel, 1874–1949, U.S. rabbi and Zionist leader, born in Hungary.
-wise
a suffixal use of
wise2 in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.:
clockwise; edgewise; marketwise; timewise. usage: The suffix
-wise is old in the language in adverbs referring to manner, direction, etc.:
crosswise; lengthwise. Coinages like
marketwise, saleswise, and
weatherwise are often criticized, perhaps because of their association with the news and entertainment media:
Moneywise, as they were already saying in the motion-picture industry, Hollywood was at its peak. This suffix should not be confused with the adjective
wise1, which appears in such compounds as
streetwise and
worldly-wise. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.