ˈwīˌzākə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle Dutch wijssegger soothsayer, modification (influenced by Middle Dutch segger sayer, from seggen to say + -er; akin to Old English secgan to say) of Old High German wīzzago prophet; akin to Old English wītega wise man, prophet, wītan to observe, see to, reproach — more at say , wite
1. : one who represents himself as well-informed or clever : know-it-all , smart aleck
has now demonstrated that this subterranean reservoir, which wiseacres contended was fed by a flowing underground stream, can be emptied and caused to remain empty — D.D.Martin
2. : wise man , sage — usually used disparagingly
some of the saws of the old rural wiseacres — A.O.D.Claxton