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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Wise \Wise\, adjective [Compar. {Wiser}; superl. {Wisest}.] [OE. wis, AS. w[=i]s; akin to OS. & OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. w[=i]s, w[=i]si, Icel. v[=i]ss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, verb (used without an object) See {Wit}, v., and cf. {Righteous}, {Wisdom}.]
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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.
{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.
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