I. ˈsāj adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, have sense, be wise; akin to Old English sefa mind, Old Saxon seƀo mind, af sebbian to perceive, Old High German ant seffen, int seffen to notice, Oscan sipus knowing, Armenian ham juice, taste; basic meaning: to taste
1.
a. : eminent in wisdom : wise through reflection and experience : prudent and philosophic in judgment and views
the wise reasoning of a certain sage magistrate — George Berkeley
b. archaic : grave , solemn
among the sage and somber figures that would put his unsophisticated cheerfulness to shame — Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. : proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment
providing sage guidance to nonponderous writing — Saturday Review
Synonyms: see wise
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from sage, adjective
1. : one (as a profound philosopher or eminently wise counselor) distinguished for wisdom
this excellent book considers six sages … whose vision springs from a vivid conception of the principles governing the workings of the world — Times Literary Supplement
2. : a mature or venerable man rich in experience and sound in judgment
one of the ancient sages of our law — B.N.Cardozo
3. often capitalized , Confucianism : a truly natural man who is virtuous and wise and has attained the highest perfection of man
III. noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English sauge, sage, from Middle French saulge, sauge, from Latin salvia, from salvus safe, whole, healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe
1.
a. : a half shrubby mint ( Salvia officinalis ) with grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent ; broadly : a plant of the genus Salvia — compare blue sage , clary , scarlet sage
b.
(1) : sagebrush
(2) : the sagebrush regions of the western U.S.
sage dog
sage riders
c. : any of several plants felt to resemble the true sage — usually used in combination; see bethlehem sage , jerusalem sage
2. : sage green