Wise
WordNet
adjective
(1) Improperly forward or bold
"Don't be fresh with me"
"Impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup"
"An impudent boy given to insulting strangers"
"Don't get wise with me!"
(2) Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
"Judicious use of one's money"
"A wise decision"
(3) Having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
"A wise leader"
"A wise and perceptive comment"
noun
(4) A way of doing or being
"In no wise"
"In this wise"
(5) United States religious leader (born in Bohemia) who united reform Jewish organizations in the United States (1819-1900)
(6) United States Jewish leader (born in Hungary) (1874-1949)
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
From , from , from a participle form of . Cognate with Dutch , German , Swedish . Compare .
Adjective
- Showing good judgement or the benefit of experience.
- Storing extra food for the winter was a wise decision.
- They were considered the wise old men of the administration.
- Disrespectful.
- Don't get wise with me!
Verb
- To become wise.
- Usually with "up", to inform.
- Mo wised him up about his situation.
- Usually with "up", to learn.
- After Mo had a word with him, he wised up.
Etymology 2
From , from . Cognate with Dutch , German , Swedish , . Compare .
Noun
- Way, manner.
- 1850 Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Burden of Nineveh, lines 2-5
- ... the prize
- Dead Greece vouchsafes to living eyes, —
- Her Art for ever in fresh wise
- From hour to hour rejoicing me.
- 1866, Algernon Swinburne, A Ballad of Life, lines 28-30
- A riven hood was pulled across his eyes;
- The token of him being upon this wise
- Made for a sign of Lust.
- 1850 Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Burden of Nineveh, lines 2-5