wise 1
— wisely , adv.
/wuyz/ , adj., wiser, wisest , v. , wised, wising .
adj.
1. having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
2. characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent: a wise decision.
3. possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning; learned; erudite: wise in the law.
4. having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.: We are wiser for their explanations.
5. Slang. informed; in the know: You're wise, so why not give us the low-down?
6. Archaic. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
7. be or get wise to , Slang. to be or become cognizant of or no longer deceived by; catch on: to get wise to a fraud.
8. get wise , Slang.
a. to become informed.
b. to be or become presumptuous or impertinent: Don't get wise with me, young man!
9. put or set someone wise , Slang. to inform a person; let a person in on a secret or generally unknown fact: Some of the others put him wise to what was going on.
v.t.
10. Slang. to make wise or aware: I'll wise you, kid.
11. wise up , Slang. to make or become aware of a secret or generally unknown fact, situation, attitude, etc.: They wised him up on how to please the boss. She never wised up to the fact that the joke was on her.
[ bef. 900; ME (adj.), OE wis; c. D wijs, G weise, ON viss, Goth -weis; akin to WIT 1 ]
Syn. 1, 2. sage, sensible, sagacious, intelligent.
Ant. 1, 2. foolish.
wise 2
/wuyz/ , n.
way of proceeding or considering; manner; fashion (usually used in combination or in certain phrases): otherwise; in any wise; in no wise.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE: way, manner; melody (OE); c. D wijze, G Weise manner, melody, ON visa short poem, Dan vise ballad; akin to Gk eîdos form, shape ]
wise 3
/wuyz/ , v.t., wised, wising .
1. Chiefly Scot.
a. to instruct.
b. to induce or advise.
c. to show the way to; guide.
2. Scot. to direct the course of; cause to turn.
[ bef. 900; ME wisen, OE wisian to show the way, guide, direct, akin to wis WISE 1 ; c. OHG wisan, ON visa ]