WISE, a. s as z. [G., to know., L.]

1. Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper and what is improper; as, a wise prince; a wise magistrate. Solomon was deemed the wisest man. But a man may be speculatively and not practically wise. Hence,
2. Discreet and judicious in the use or application of knowledge; choosing laudable ends, and the best means to accomplish them. This is to be practically wise. – Gen. xli.
3. Skillful; dextrous. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. – Jer. iv.
4. Learned; knowing; as, the wise and the unwise. – Rom. i.
5. Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. – 2 Sam. xiv.
6. Godly; pious. – Prov. xiii. The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation. – 2 Tim. iii.
7. Skilled in hidden arts; a sense somewhat ironical; as, the wise woman of Brainford. – Shak.
8. Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing wisdom; judicious; well adapted to produce good effects; applicable to things; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.
9. Becoming a wise man; grave; discreet; as, wise deportment. – Milton.

Manner; way of being or acting. This song she sings in most commanding wise. – Sidney. In fittest wise. – Spenser. In the foregoing form this word is obsolete. The use of it is now very limited. It is common in the following phrases. #1. In any wise. If he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it. – Lev. xxvii. Fret not thyself in any wise. – Ps. xxxvii. #2. On this wise. On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel. – Num. vi. #3. In no wise. He shall in no wise lose his reward. – Matth. x. It is used in composition, as in likewise, otherwise, lengthwise, &c. By mistake, ways is often used for it; as, lengthways, for lengthwise.

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. Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion.
   
   
   "All armed in complete wise." Spenser.

   To love her in my beste wyse. Chaucer.

   This song she sings in most commanding wise. Sir P. Sidney.

   Let not these blessings then, sent from above,
   Abused be, or spilt in profane wise. Fairfax.

   * This word is nearly obsolete, except in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, on this wise, etc. " Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." Ps. xxxvii. 8. "He shall in no wise lose his reward." Matt. x. 42. " On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel." Num. vi. 23.

   * Wise is often used as a suffix in composition, as in likewise, nowise, lengthwise, etc., in which words -ways is often substituted with the same sense; as, noways, lengthways, etc.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.