Wise (?), a. [Compar.Wiser (?); superl.Wisest.] [OE. wis, AS. wīs; akin to OS. & OFries. wīs, D. wijs, G. weise, OHG. wīs, wīsi, Icel. vīss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis, Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. 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. “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. “ 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.
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.