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单词 wise
释义

wisen.1

Brit. /wʌɪz/, U.S. /waɪz/
Forms: Old English– wise, Old English, Middle English (Middle English–1500s Scottish) wis, Old English, Middle English–1500s wyse, (Middle English wisse, Middle English wice, Scottish viss, vijs, vyijs, vyise), Middle English wys, (Scottish wiss, vyse, vice, Middle English–1500s Scottish wyis (1500s -iss), Middle English wyesse, whyse, Middle English–1500s Scottish wyss(e, vise, 1500s wize, weysse).
Etymology: Old English wíse weak feminine (rarely wís strong feminine) manner, mode, condition, thing, affair, cause, reason, (occasionally) song = Old Frisian wîs , Old Saxon wîsa weak and strong (Middle Low German wîse , wîs , Middle Dutch wîze , wijs , Dutch wijze ), Old High German wîsa , and wîs manner, custom, tune (Middle High German wîse , German weise ), Old Norse vísa weak feminine stanza, *vís manner in öðruvís otherwise (Swedish visa , Danish vise song; also Swedish, Danish vis way, manner) < Old Germanic *wīsōn- , *wīsō : < wit- wit v.1 (for the sense compare the cognate Greek εἶδος form, shape, kind, state of things, course of action).
archaic.
I. Simple uses relating to manner, style, or melody.
†1.
a. Manner, mode, fashion, style; spec. habitual manner of action, habit, custom (cf. way n.1 23). Obsolete (in later use Scottish): see also II.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [noun]
wayeOE
costOE
wise971
gatec1175
custc1275
form1297
guise13..
mannerc1300
kindc1330
assizea1375
plighta1393
makea1400
fashionc1400
reason?c1400
method1526
voye1541
how1551
way1563
garb1600
quality1600
mould1603
quomodo1623
modus1648
mode1649
turn1825
road1855
gait1866
methodology1932
stylee1982
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun]
i-wunec888
wise971
gatec1175
lawc1175
manners?c1225
wone?c1225
usec1325
hauntc1330
use1340
rotec1350
consuetude1382
customancea1393
usancea1393
practicc1395
guisea1400
usagea1400
wonta1400
spacec1400
accustomancec1405
customheada1425
urec1425
wontsomenessc1425
accustomc1440
wonningc1440
practice1502
habitudec1598
habiture1598
habit1605
wonting1665
society > society and the community > customs, values, and civilization > customs, values, or beliefs of a society or group > [noun] > custom of a society or group
i-wunec888
thewc893
wise971
law of (the) landc1175
customa1200
wonec1200
tidingc1275
orderc1300
usancea1325
usagec1330
usea1393
guisea1400
spacec1400
stylec1430
rite1467
fashion1490
frequentation1525
institution1551
tradition1597
mode1642
shibboleth1804
dastur1888
praxis1892
971 Blickl. Hom. 55 Maniges mannes wise bið þæt he wile symle to his nehstan sprecan þa word þe he wenþ þæt him leofoste syn to gehyrenne.
c1220 Bestiary 468 Ðe spinnere..werpeð ðus hire web, and weueð on hire wise.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1029 For heom ne may halter ne bridel Bringe from here wode wyse.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12689 An hundred þusende. iwepnede þeines ohte on heore londes wise.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1213 Þat folc verst in is wise, To hor godes as hii wolde, dude hor sacrefice.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xx. 263 Þis is þe worste wise þat eny wight myghte Synegen aȝens þe seynt espirit.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1919) xi. 49 & ȝit þei ben in moornynge in the wise þat þei maden here lamentacioun for him the firste tyme.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 25 Our all the toune rewlyng on thar awne wis.
1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxiv. 3 Quho list to mark the Scottisch gyse..Sall weill persave thair craftie wyse.
†b. to do, make one's wise: to do what one can. in wise of: after the fashion of; in respect of. in wise that: in such a manner that, so that.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > in relation to [phrase] > in respect of or with regard to
in wise ofc1290
by (also for) reason ofa1350
as to (the) regard ofc1392
in regard of or toc1392
upon the side ofa1393
with regard toc1392
in respect of?a1425
in this (also that) behalf1458
upon the feat of1483
for (the) respect of1489
as pertains to1526
in order to1526
with respect1556
ad idem1574
on this behalf1581
in or with reference to1593
quoad hoc1601
in point of1605
with intuition to (of)1626
in the mention of1638
in terms of1704
how and about1753
as regards1797
as concerns1816
w.r.t.1956
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost
to do (also lay) one's mightc1175
to do, make one's wisec1290
to do (also make) one's powerc1390
to hold (also keep) foot withc1438
to do one's force?c1450
to do or die1487
to do one's endeavour(sc1500
to do the best of one's power1523
to do (also try) one's best1585
to do one's possible1792
to pull out all the stops1927
to bust (also break) one's balls1968
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [phrase] > after the fashion of
in wise ofc1290
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > consequently or as a result [phrase] > in order that or so that
insomuch thata1450
in wise that1561
insomuch as1579
c1290 Beket 1279 in S. Eng. Leg. 143 Þo he hadde al is tale itold and imaked is grete wise [v.r. al his wise], He sat adoun.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 64 This Troylus, yn wyse of curtasie,..rod and dide here compaynye.
1454 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 154 Ledam wulde a do hys wyse to a mad a complent to Pry[s]othe jn þe schere howse of ȝow.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 565 All Wallace folk in wys off wer was gud.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ff.iiv Wt the wayes which she ordeined, those Realmes are still ruled, in wise that albeit her lief wanteth, yet her authoritie lyueth.
†2. Song, melody. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > [noun]
songeOE
wisea1000
chant1587
voice-music1600
charm1633
vocal1769
minstrelsy1863
a1000 Menologium 70 Wrecan wordum forð, wise [MS. wisse] gesingan.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 519 So sone so þu sittest a brode Þu forleost al þine wise.
II. Old English wíse manner, fashion, like the cognate forms in other Germanic languages (see the respective sections below), was used in various kinds of adverbial expressions meaning ‘in such-and-such a manner, way, or respect’, in which it was qualified by an adjective or a noun with or without a governing preposition. Several of these expressions, with others formed on their pattern in later periods, have survived as simple words, e.g. anywise, crosswise, leastwise, likewise, nowise, otherwise, slantwise, in which -wise has the appearance of a suffix, and, in so far as it could or can still be freely combined with an adjective or a noun (as in senses 1b, 5b), it has actually performed the function of a suffix. The free use of the various forms, i.e. apart from the established simple words, is now only archaic except in sense 5b.
3.
a. With demonstrative, interrogative, or indefinite adjective in an oblique case. (†rarely plural)In Old English óðre wísan varies with on óðre wísan (see otherwise n., adv., and adj.), but most later expressions of this form, e.g. likewise adv., thiswise adv., what-wise adv., resulted from ellipses of the preposition in expressions of the type in 4a. thuswise adv. is an analogical combination with an adverb.Cf. Old Frisian hûdêne wîs, Old Saxon hû wîs(e, Old High German andar wîs, einic wîs, Middle High German neheine wîs, der selben wîs, manege(n wîs.
ΚΠ
971 Blickl. Hom. 177 Þe læs þe oðre wisan ænig man leoge.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15984 Wulchere wise [c1300 Otho wey] he mihte wið Aðelstane fihte.
13.. Bonaventura's Medit. 154 Þat he to hys treytur dyd þe same wyse.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11971 ‘Sun’, sco said, ‘wrick [Fairf. wirk] noght þis wise’.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20398 Of vs es nan þat wat for quam, Ne wat quat-wis we heder cam.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17473 All fals sal far þat ilk wise.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 11971 Wirk noȝt suche wise [Vesp. þis wise].
c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 198 Syth that hit woll none other wyse be.
c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 9896 This castelle..is feyror many wyse [Vesp. on mani wise] Then tong can telle.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 78 His menȝe..That vs dispisis mony vis.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 127 It will not walkin me no wise.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 87 How sowld I rewill me or in quhat wyis.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. x. 93 And as thai flokkit about Enee, als tyte Sic vise ontil thaim carpis Sibilla.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid iv. Prol. 188 With Venus henvifis quhat wyse may I flite?
1524 King Henry VIII Instruct. Pace in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. xiii. 30 The delaying..of this matier may do moche harme, and prejudice sundry wises.
1530 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. x. 20 I haue prayed no other wysse then the trewth.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 11 Thys law..must..be referryd, non other wyse then the conclusyons of artys mathematical are ever referryd to theyr pryncypullys.
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. A7 Suche wise that the great loue that the father bore her, greued her meruelouslie sore.
1560 Abst. Protocols Town Clerks of Glasgow (1896) II. 84 All reicht..quhilk he had or ony wyis mycht haif.
1649 C. Wase tr. Sophocles Electra 12 Whilst things stand this wise with me.
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Compl. Gard'ner i. ii. xi. 36 The Houses, that can no wise afford above one Garden.
1799 M. Underwood Treat. Dis. Children (ed. 4) II. 242 A bougie..would be every wise as proper.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh iii. 118 No wise beautiful Was Marian Erle.
1883 L. Oliphant Altiora Peto II. xviii He did it this wise.
b. With general adjectives, often forming an equivalent of -ly suffix2, as †humble wise = humbly, despiteful-wise = despitefully: in later use hyphenated or as one word.Cf. Middle High German glîcher wîse (German gleicherweise), German glücklicherweise, irrtümlicherweise, törichterweise, zufälligerweise, etc.; normaler weise, etc.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 1865 Ic þa leode wat..fæste geworhte, æghwæs untæle ealde wisan.
c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 480 The nyghtes longe Encressen double wise the peynes stronge.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21277 Þe queles er draun diuerse wise.
1475 Rolls of Parl. VI. 129/1 Service, the which the seid Galiard..had doon dyvers wise to your goode grace.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 932 Thus may thow, and thow will, wirk the best wise.
1592 H. Constable Diana i. i. sig. B1 Humble wise To thee my sighes in verse I sacrifise.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 157 It was formed hooked-wise.
1866 Church & State Rev. 11 May 298/2 It is no dull good-boy book, to be taken teetotalwise.
1876 E. C. Stedman Victorian Poets vi. 220 ‘The Princess’ and ‘The Idylls of the King’, are written Dorian-wise.
1903 R. Kipling S. Afr. in Five Nations vi She..Treated them despiteful-wise.
4.
a.
(a) With preposition (originally on, archaic since 16th cent.; Old English also of; from 14th cent. in) and demonstrative, interrogative, or indefinite adjective, as on náne wísan in no way, nowise adv., of þisse wísan in this way, thiswise adv. (Cf. sense 1a) Sometimes illogically written as one word or with hyphen.Cf. Old Saxon an negana wîsa, Middle Low German in wat wîs(e, Old High German in thesa, alla, managa, zwei wîs, ze dero, andrero, welero wîs, etc., German auf andere, solche, welche weise, etc.
ΚΠ
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xvi. §2 On nane wisan.
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) i. xxvii. 72 Ne meaht þu on oðre wisan biscop halgian buton oðrum biscopum.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xv. 10 Ita, on ða wisa.
971 Blickl. Hom. 31 Þas cyþnesse Drihten nam of þisse wisan.
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 341/26 Aliter, on ænige oðre wisan.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 109 On monie wisen mon mei wurchen elmessan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2534 Herrsumm onn alle wise.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 203 Alle he laðeð ech a sume wise to endelese blisse.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 904 Seie me in what wise þat þat hache þe haldes.
c1400 Rom. Rose 5940 Ben thanne siche marchauntz wise, No, but fooles in euery wise.
c1440 Generydes 102 I am come here, in lyke wyse as ye see.
a1450 Partonope of Blois (Univ. Oxf.) (1912) l. 4660 Cursid he ys and Covetous in alle wyse.
1466 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 333 In alwyse I avyse you for to be ware.
1472 M. Paston in Paston Lett. III. 62 In any wyse..labore to have an ende of your grete materes.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rom. iii. 9 Are we better then they? No in no wyse.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8440 Andromaca..prayet the prinse..On nowise in thys world the walles to passe.
1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 374 b For all that, it is in any wise [L. omnino] necessarie.
1581 N. Burne Disput. Headdis of Relig. (S.T.S.) 112 Thay..vil in nauyse suffer onie man to..preache aganis the same.
1702 in Rous's Academia Cœlestis Advt. sig. A2v One who was in no wise averse to that common Learning.
1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 269 Provided, however, it were in no-wise an obstacle.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 318 The abdominal ring is in nowise concerned in the disease.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby II. iv. vii. 82 In this wise, affairs had gone on for a month.
1848 D. G. Rossetti Last Confession in Poems (1870) 67 The father's, brother's love—was changed, I think, in somewise.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard ii. i I thought I was..lying by my lord, and knew In somewise he was well awake.
1879 M. Arnold Fr. Crit. Milton in Mixed Ess. 238 Whoever comes to the Essay on Milton..will feel that the essay in nowise helps hims.
1905 J. B. Bury Life St. Patrick vii. 139 Tell us how we may know him, in what~wise he will appear.
(b) with a or a numeral, or plural.
ΚΠ
a1000 Colloq. Ælfric in Wright Voc. (1857) I. 7 On feala wisan ic beswice fugelas.
c1000 Ælfric Gram. (Z.) xxxviii. 237 Bifariam, on twa wisan.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 77 Þe fader is ine þe sune on þre wise.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 9 Teȝenes ure emcristene we sulle laden ure lif edmodeliche on two wise.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 3 Alle ne maȝen naut..halden on ane wise þe vtterre riwle.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 29506 O thrijn wijs Mai cursing be tald on right wijs.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 62 Þe dyeuel..him chongeþ in uele wysen þet uolk uor to gyly.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1805 Þus vpon þrynne wyses I haf yow þro schewed, Þat vnclannes to cleues in corage dere.
1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) ix. ii. 197/1 Disceiuable in many sondry wyses.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 548 Persoones myȝten..synne bi manye wijsis.
c1480 (a1400) St. Matthias 99 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 225 In a vice to-gyddyr fede & in ane aray in bak & bede.
1520 Rolls of Parl. V. 437/1 In other divers manere of wyses.
b. With general adjectives: cf. sense 1b (occasionally illogically as one word or with hyphen.)Cf. in like wise adv., and Old Frisian to lîkere wîs (and).
ΚΠ
971 Blickl. Hom. 189 Þa cwæþ Neron, On ða betstan wisan þu demest.
a1100 Aldhelm Glosses i. 1252 in A. S. Napier Old Eng. Glosses (1900) 34 Mirum in modum, on wunderlicum gemete [in another hand wise].
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13892 Wes þe kaisere of-slæȝen a seolcuðe wisen.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 20 In euery skylful wyse.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10948 Als lagh was þan on ald wise.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 1095 So sodanly on a wonder wyse, I was war of a prosessyoun.
1423 Kingis Quair xcvii That coude his office doon In connyng wise.
a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 28028 Ȝe oft sithes on wonderwise Biswikes þam.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xi. vii. 580 I will..that ye be wel bisene in the rychest wyse.
1480 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 29 In as lovynge whyse as harte cone thynke.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 144 Thareto j ansuere jn double wis.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 274 We..To ȝou that ar in purgatorie Commendis ws on our hairtlie wys.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiii I shall pray for you in lyke wyse.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 87 You take a discord for the first part, & not in binding wise.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 360 Some in scoffing manner; others in malicious wise.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 98 These letters in scattering wise, c a e r a t i c.
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. Authors Way sig. A5 By all means in all Loving-wise, them greet. View more context for this quotation
1782 J. Trumbull MʽFingal (new ed.) iv. 70 In mournful wise.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard (1894) i. i. 13 You praise her in too lover-like a wise.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. III 46 A while in gentle wise they went.
5.
a. With preposition (see sense 2) and noun in (non-syntactical) combination with wise, e.g. Old English on scipwísan in the manner of a ship, like a ship.Cf. Old Saxon an kuningwîsa(n like a king, Middle High German in kriuzewîs, Middle Swedish i korsvîs crosswise.
ΚΠ
c890 Wærferth tr. Gregory's Dial. (1900) 343 Twegen oflæthlafas on beagwisan abacene.
a950 Prose Life Guthlac (1848) ii. 107 Mid þam þe seo yld com þæt hit sprecan mihte æfter cnihtwisan.
c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints vi. 247 On munuc~wisan gescryd.
c1070 in Thorpe Charters (1865) 430 Mycel Englisc boc..on leoðwisan geworht.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xix. 138 Kulleden hym on-crosse-wyse.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. viii. 163 In a weythwynde wyse ywryþe al aboute.
c1407 J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte 5245 In karol wise I saugh hem goon.
1495 in Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1839) I. 427/2 In Indenture wise.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 175 Ayre vp the erthe on ardagh wise.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4762 The grekes..At wyndous on yche syde-wise a wondurfull nombur.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxxv. 20) By the clifts of the earth wee may in metaphorwyse vnder~stande miserable men..broken and maymed.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xxvi. 41 This was done in ballade wise..and was song very sweetely.
1596 Raigne of Edward III sig. K1v There twise as many pikes in quadrant wise . View more context for this quotation
1606 W. Crashaw Falsificationum Romanarum To Rdr. D 4 b The reuerend Master Iohn Ferus..did in Sermon-wise explane the bookes of Iob vnto the Citizens.
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 333 The points of the Hornes meeting..in a kinde of circle-wise.
1816 S. T. Coleridge Christabel ii. 41 Geraldine in maiden wise..turn'd her from Sir Leoline.
1916 H. E. G. Rope Relig. Ancilla 54 We trod the pilgrim road in pilgrim wise.
b. without preposition (variously written).
(a) The meaning is ‘in the manner of’, ‘in the..manner’. Cf. Middle Low German crûcewîs, Dutch kruiswijs, Middle High German kriuzewîse, German kreuzweise, pfandweise, etc.
ΚΠ
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ix. xxxi. 368 On holy Saterdaye newe fyre is fette..and thus [= incense] is putte therin crossewyse.
1459 Paston Lett. I. 475 A goune..with side slevis, sirples wise.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. iv. 173 The alphyn goth alleway corner wyse fro the thirde poynt to the thirde poynt.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 844/2 Dyamant wyse, loserige [sic] wyse, trewlove wyse.
c1530 Court of Love 1354 Within a temple shapen hauthorn wise.
1540 R. Jonas tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. f. xxv Whiche..is made soo compase wyse and caue or holowe in the myddes, that, [etc.].
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 37 To order it garden wyse, castyng it into beddes.
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. i. 32 No man presumed to make any solemne oration assembly-wise [L. in modum concionis].
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 224 Seuerall Quires, placed one ouer against another, and taking the Voice by Catches Anthemewise.
1631 in Courridge Ye Olde Streete of Pavement (c1890) 177/1 Let them tie upon a stick, posie wise, a little piece of sponge.
1657 A. Sparrow Rationale Bk. Common Prayer (1661) 100 Then the Priest Collect-wise makes a Prayer.
1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin iii. iii. 61 Let us try once more to argue Cardinalwise.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Cutting They do at other Times cut sloaping, and Hind-foot-wise.
1743 W. Shenstone Let. to Graves 23 Dec. The sides [of an alcove] ornamented with sheeps~bones, jaws, sculls, &c. festoon-wise.
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick lxx. 346 Ahab..took Stubb's long spade..and striking it into the lower part of the half-suspended mass, placed its other end crutch-wise under one arm.
1854 H. D. Thoreau Walden 21 Waiting at evening on the hill-tops for the sky to fall, that I might catch something, though I never caught much, and that, manna-wise, would dissolve again in the sun.
1876 S. C. J. Ingham White Cross xlviii ‘Oh, only in a brotherly way.’.. ‘Timothy or Titus-wise, you know.’
1885 Cornhill Mag. Mar. 283 Priests sitting with their legs tucked up tailor-wise, in the attitude of Buddha.
1919 R. Firbank Valmouth iv. 52 Flecked with wood shavings, Saint Joseph-wise, it [sc. a gown] brought with it suggestions of Eastern men.
1921 Kastner & Charlton Poet. Wks. of Sir Wm. Alexander I. p. lvii The style throughout, Seneca-wise, ought to be magnificent and grave.
1923 R. Macaulay Told by Idiot i. ii. 11 Her mass of chestnut hair parted Rosetti-wise in the middle.
1940 ‘Gun Buster’ Return via Dunkirk ii. iv. 117 In a few minutes our vehicles were coiled serpent-wise round the château.
(b) Used in the same way but with the sense: as regards, in respect of. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > in relation or with reference to or concerning
forasmuch1297
as to1340
as fora1393
nentesa1400
accordingc1430
as respects1543
in (also with) relation to1551
relatively1609
quoad1622
referently1650
on, upon the score (of)1651
on account of1653
schetically1678
with a view to1692
apropos1749
as regards1797
in the matter of1881
in aid of1918
wise1942
1942 E. R. Allen in J. J. Mattiello Protective & Decorative Coatings II. viii. 252 It should be noted that there are two types of hydrogen atoms positionwise.
1948 Sat. Rev. 6 Mar. 16/3 Plotwise, it offers little more or little less of what-happens-next interest than may be found [etc.].
1958 Spectator 10 Jan. 37/2 John Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford..in twelve TV performances, was the greatest, successwise, among the aristocrats.
1958 Times 5 Sept. 11/5 An ill-disciplined, over-paid, frustrated youth, whose life chances have been vastly improved moneywise without commensurate social adjustment.
1961 Far East Film News (Tokyo) Apr. 5/1 1961 so far has been UA [sc. United Artists] all the way prize-wise with this company taking an even dozen Oscars.
1976 J. I. M. Stewart Memorial Service xii. 184 These were a gentle race..desperately worried over the grim state of the market job-wise.
1981 Gossip (Holiday Special) 24/1 Acting-wise, I like Katharine Hepburn, Joanne Woodward, Judy Garland and, of course, Marilyn.
c. with preposition and noun in the genitive.Cf. Old Frisian thiaveswîse like a thief, Middle Low German (in) dieves wîse, in pelegrimes wîse, gastes wîse as a guest, Old High German in eseles wîs like an ass, Middle High German in kriuzes wîs crosswise, ze gesellen wîs like comrades.
ΚΠ
a1300 K. Horn 360 On a squieres wise.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2961 It was on fendes wise wrogt.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 148 On Palfreis wyse.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vi. 9 In A weþe~bondes wyse I-wriþen aboute [cf. quot. 1393 at sense 3a].
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 53 In pilgrimes wyse.
1423 Kingis Quair cxvii In thaire flouris wise.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard (1894) i. iii. 46 On peaceable men's wise.
†d. with formations in -kin(s, manner. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1200 Vices & Virtues 25 On alles kennes wisen.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4380 In no maner wice.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9486 He ne mai be fre on nakins wis [Gött. nan-kin wise].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7984 On quatkin wise.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 91 On mani maner wis.
c1480 (a1400) St. Bartholomew 129 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 183 One foure-kine wise.
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell sig. C.ij In lyke maner of wyse.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccccviii. 287 b/1 In some maner awyse.
1534 Prymer in Eng. sig. P.vj In no maner wyse.
1563 P. Whitehorne tr. Onasander Of Generall Captaine & his Office f. 31 In no maner of wyse.
Categories »
6. The synonymy of -wise and -ways in such adverbs as likeways, likewise, noways, nowise, led to their interchange and consequently the illogical use of -wise for -ways: see -ways comb. form.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

wisen.2

Brit. /wʌɪz/, U.S. /waɪz/
Forms: Also wyse.
Etymology: Old English wíse; compare Old Norse vísir: ultimate relations doubtful.
Obsolete exc. dialect.
The stalk or stem of a plant; esp. a trailing stem or runner, as of the strawberry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > shoot, sprout, or branch > [noun]
sproteeOE
wiseOE
spronkOE
wrideOE
brodc1175
wanda1300
breerc1320
scion?c1335
spraya1387
spriga1398
springa1400
sprouta1400
spiringc1400
shoota1450
youngling1559
forth-growing1562
spirk1565
sprouting1578
surcle1578
chive1583
chit1601
spurt1601
sprit1622
germen1628
spurge1630
spirt1634
brairding1637
springet1640
set1658
shrubble1674
underling1688
sobolesa1722
branchlet1731
springlet1749
sproutling1749
sprang1847
shootlet1889
OE Riddle 65 4 Æghwa mec reafað, hafað mec on headre, ond min heafod scireþ, biteð mec on bær lic, briceð mine wisan.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 36 Streawbergean wise.
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 415/34 Gesce, eall hwite wysan.
c1425 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 310 Tak an handful of Bugyl, an oþer of strawebery wyse.
c1440 MS. Lincoln A. i. 17 lf. 280 (Halliw.) Take the wyse of tormentile, and bray it.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 531/1 Wyse, of strawbery (P. or pesyn), fragus.
c1450 Middle Eng. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 177 Tak bugle, streberywyse, mene consond [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

wiseadj.n.3adv.

Brit. /wʌɪz/, U.S. /waɪz/
Forms: Old English–Middle English (1500s Scottish) wis, Middle English (1500s Scottish) wys, Middle English–1600s wyse, Middle English– wise; also Middle English wiis, Middle English wiys, wyys, wyese, wyesse, weysse, Scottish viss, vyijs, Middle English wijs, wyes, wiss, Middle English (1500s Scottish) wyss, wice, Middle English–1500s Scottish vyise, Middle English, 1600s wiese, Middle English wijse, wies, weise, wiesse, wisse, wysse, vise, vice, viese, Scottish vyis, Middle English (1500s Scottish) wyis, wyce, vyse, 1500s Scottish wisz, wyise, wyice, wyiss, vyiss, vyce.
Etymology: Old English wís = Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old High German (Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, Middle High German) wîs , (Dutch wijs , German weis in phrase einen weis machen ), Old Norse víss (Swedish, Danish vis ), Gothic weis (in compounds) < Old Germanic *wīsaz < pre-Germanic *wīttos , < Indo-European weid- (see wit v.1) + participial suffix -to-.Old High German wîsi (Middle High German wîse, German weise) is from a parallel formation with j-.suffix. The standard pronunciation with voiced s (z) is presumably derived from the oblique cases. The normal representative of Old English wís with (s), as in ice (Old English ís), survives in some northern dialects; the regular Scots pronunciation is /weis/.
1.
a.
(a) Having or exercising sound judgement or discernment; capable of judging truly concerning what is right or fitting, and disposed to act accordingly; having the ability to perceive and adopt the best means for accomplishing an end; characterized by good sense and prudence. Opposed to foolish. (See also wise man n. 1.) Also in wise old man; spec. = wise man n. 4.In Middle English often in collocation with ware adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [adjective]
warec888
wiseOE
adviseda1325
witty1340
prudenta1382
thoughtfula1400
wisea1400
well-advisedc1405
visablea1450
canny1581
judicious1598
serious-minded1694
expedient1828
far-seeing1837
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > [adjective]
wiseOE
deada1592
sure-footed1633
inerring1661
unerring1679
safe1788
errorless1856
inerroneous1880
error-free1927
OE Beowulf 1845 Mægenes strang, and on mode frod, wis wordcwida!
c1000 Rule of Chrodegang liv Preostas sceolon gemunan þæt hig ne synt..wisran þonne Salomon.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 656 Theodorus, swiðe god man & wis.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 72 Salomon þe wise.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 192 He is wis and war of worde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3142 Heo wes swiðe wis of wordliche dome.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5388 King alfred was wisost king þat longe was biuore.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 311 A Sergeaunt of lawe waar and wys.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 68 Thogh þt he weere worthy he was wys.
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Mending of Life 113 In meet & drynke be þow scars & wisse.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 526/1 Wyce, in werkynge and ware.., discretus, providus.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 327 The vis king, that ves vicht and bald.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 48 As wis woman ay I wrought and not as wod fule.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 78 And quha can reive vthir menis rowmis..Is now ane active man, and wyice.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. QQviiv We shulde also be wele ware or wyse, as is the serpent.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xxv. f. xxxvv Fyve of them were folysshe, and fyve were wyse.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1463 A man witty & wise, wight, wildist in armes.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. iii. 156 Claudio And she is exceeding wise. Prince In euery thing but in louing Benedicke. View more context for this quotation
1639 J. Taylor Part Summers Trav. 42 To tempt and draw the wisest men to folly.
a1732 J. Gay Fables (1738) II. v. 37 That man must daily wiser grow, Whose search is bent himself to know.
1798 R. Southey Well of St. Keyne 51 She had been wiser than me, For she took a bottle to Church.
1818 S. T. Coleridge Friend II. i. 23 The first duty of a wise advocate is to convince his opponents, that he understands their arguments and sympathizes with their just feelings.
1872 Ld. Tennyson In Children's Hospital vi ‘If I,’ said the wise little Annie, ‘was you, I should cry to the dear Lord Jesus to help me.’
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost xiv. 383 The wisest of all the sons of men before the Incarnation of the Son of God was Solomon, king of Israel.
1940 S. Dell tr. C. G. Jung Integr. Personality (1941) iii. 88 The three archetypes so far mentioned—the shadow, the anima, and the wise old man—are of the kind immediately experienced in personified form.
1956 R. F. C. Hull tr. C. G. Jung Symbols of Transformation in Coll. Wks. V. ii. vii. 332 The archetype of the wise old man first appears in the father, being a personification of meaning and spirit in its procreative sense.
1961 G. Adler Living Symbol xvii. 397 The more remote and more powerful figure of the ‘wise old man’ represents a further step..to a higher and more comprehensive wisdom.
1968 A. Whitney Every Man has his Price viii. 61 Now he was a wise old man, greatly feared, much respected.
1975 D. Daniell Interpreter's House iii. 60 There is a Wise Old Man..blind and of immense strength who..blesses John Burnet.
1977 M. Green Children of Sun (rev. ed.) i. 36 A whole movement focuses passionate values..on them [sc. young men]—as opposed to focusing them on the wise old man.
(b) of God.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adjective] > knowing or omniscient
wittyOE
wisea1325
all-wittya1425
omniscious1588
omniscient1598
all-knowing1759
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) 260 Ihesus, god and man so wis.
c1400 tr. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh. 92 God ys wys and conynge.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Jude 25 To God oure saveour, whyche only ys wyse [1611 to the onely wise God our Sauiour], be glory, maiestie, dominion, and power.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. i. 6 We ignorant of our selues, Begge often our owne harmes, which the wise Powres Deny vs for our good. View more context for this quotation
1719 I. Watts Psalms of David 159 Thou Great and Good, thou Just and Wise, Thou art my Father and my God!
(c) of animals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > intelligent
witty1398
wise1560
ingenious1607
sagacious1759
a1000 Boeth. Metr. xviii. 5 Sio wilde beo, þeah wis sie [etc.].
1560 Bible (Geneva) Prov. xxx. 24 These be foure smal things.., yet thei are wise and ful of wisdome.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 57 The wise Ant her wintry Store provides. View more context for this quotation
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies ii. 65 The wise dog took them over the moor.
(d) of superhuman beings and personifications.
ΚΠ
c1400 Rom. Rose 4621 Resoun Discrete and wijs and full pleasaunt.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 368 He..hath vpon him still that naturall stampe: It was wise Natures end..To be his euidence now. View more context for this quotation
1647 H. More Philos. Poems ii. Infin. Worlds cv Wise preventing Destinie.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) I. 382 Wise Nature, in giving so much force to early habits, intended that our happiness should depend on those who are most concerned to promote it.
1832 Ld. Tennyson Dream Fair Women xxx, in Poems (new ed.) 129 No one can be more wise than destiny.
(e) const. to (with noun or infinitive), unto. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [adjective]
warec888
wiseOE
adviseda1325
witty1340
prudenta1382
thoughtfula1400
wisea1400
well-advisedc1405
visablea1450
canny1581
judicious1598
serious-minded1694
expedient1828
far-seeing1837
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8544 Was neuer nan wiser lagh to lede.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 420 Hem that made hem silf seme wijse forto condempne mennis lawe.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rom. xvi. 19 I wolde have you wyse vnto that which is good. And to be innocent as concernynge evyll.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Tim. iii. 15 Which is able to make the wyse vnto health.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Jer. iv. 22 Thei are wise to do euil, but to do wel thei haue no knowledge.
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Kiv v It makes my harte bleede to see thee so wise to wickednes.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 193 Wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. View more context for this quotation
1781 W. Cowper Charity 87 Wise to promote whatever end he means, God opens fruitful nature's various scenes.
(f) in proverbs and proverbial sayings. (See also 6c.)
ΚΠ
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 9884 Wyys ys þat ware ys.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke xvi. f. ciijv The chyldren of this worlde, are in their kynde [1611 generation], wyser then the chyldren off light.
1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. C.ij He is in vayne wyse yt is not wyse for hym selfe. [See Prov. ix. 12.]
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. viii. sig. Ci Who wedth or he be wise, shall dye er he thryue.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 72 It is a wise Father that knowes his owne childe. View more context for this quotation
1617 B. Rich Irish Hubbub 16 We were wont to say, it was a wise childe that did know the owne Father.
1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 319 The proverb of being wise behind the time.
1745 B. Franklin Poor Richard's Almanack 14 Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
1879 W. H. Dixon Royal Windsor II. xix. 204 Men who are wise are wise in time.
1881 G. Saintsbury Dryden i. 10 Sir Gilbert Pickering..was wiser in his generation.
b. Of action, speech, personal attributes, etc.: Proceeding from, indicating, or suggesting sound judgement or good sense; ‘becoming a wise man’ (Johnson); sage.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > wise man, sage > pretender to wisdom, wiseacre > [adjective]
wiseOE
over-wisea1425
self-wise1573
wiseacred1603
nod-crafty1608
sapienta1763
sage1816
wiseacreish1834
OE Crist III 921 Þæt mæg wites to wearninga þam þe hafað wisne geþoht.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 251 For þe askunge mei vuel fallen bute þe askunge beo þe wisere.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 149 Þet nan wisre read ne mei hire bringen of hire riote.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. x. 71 Vche wiȝt in þis world þat haþ wys vnderstondinge.
1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 134 Anothyr yewyth a vyse consail.
a1500 R. Henryson in tr. Æsop Fables Prol. l. 17 in Poems (1981) 3 Ane doctrine wyse aneuch And full of frute.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. i. 68 It is certaine, that eyther wise bearing, or ignorant cariage is caught, as men take diseases one of another. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 156 Full of wise sawes, and moderne instances. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 666 One..eminent In wise deport, spake much of Right and Wrong. View more context for this quotation
a1672 Bp. J. Wilkins Of Princ. Nat. Relig. (1675) i. vi. 84 It must be a Wise Being that is the Cause of those Wise Effects.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xxiii. 166 My father also thought fit (perhaps for wise reasons) to acquaint us, that he designed for us but small fortunes.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. iv. 101 Teach your affection to see with a wiser eye.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 89 By a wise dispensation of Providence.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 71 He thought it wise not to attempt the ascent farther.
ironically.1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale sig. Diiij S. Paule (by this wyse reason) playd bo peep wythe hys pistle to the hebrews.a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 408 'Twere a wise feat indeed to wander out Into the Brocken upon May-day night.
†2.
a. Having practical understanding and ability; skilful, clever; skilled, expert (const. of). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > [adjective]
glewc725
wiselyc900
snoterc950
wiseOE
keena1000
witterc1100
redewisec1225
redefulc1275
well-donec1275
witfulc1275
sage1297
redya1325
heartya1382
prudenta1382
hearteda1425
subtilea1450
sapient1471
Palladian1562
wittiful1590
judicious1591
cordate1651
sophical1739
sophica1773
sapientious1852
unbesotted1875
sapiential1882
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > expert, proficient, or versed
wiseOE
perfectc1350
expertc1374
pertc1390
complete1526
flesh-bred1548
exact1589
proficienta1593
traded1609
well (better, best) verseda1610
made-upa1616
thorough-paceda1628
elementeda1661
peevish1673
adept1698
finished1710
nap1862
OE Cynewulf Elene 592 He is for eorðan æðeles cynnes, wordcræftes wis ond witgan sunu, bald on meðle.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 282 Of alle þewes was she wis, Þat gode weren.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 1270 In warld was non so wiis Of craft þat men knewe.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 2745 I rede ȝe wyrke aftyre witte, as wyesse men of armes.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 53 Ȝit am I wise in sic werk.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1530 Wise wrightis to wale, werkys to caste.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxxijv He secretly sent wise espialles..to searche & prye oute of what progeny thys..Rycharde was dissended.
b. spec. Skilled in magic or hidden arts. Now only dialect, as in wise wife, wise man n. 3, wise woman n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > [adjective] > possessing magical qualities or skill
cunning1594
wisea1639
fey1823
a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1655) vi. 383 Agnes Samson (commonly called the wise wife of Keith) was..a woman not of the base and ignorant sort of Witches.
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheism in Coll. Philos. Writings (1712) iii. vi. §6 102 While he wish'd to himself that some wise body would help him to his..money again there appeared unto him a Spirit.
3.
a. Having knowledge, well-informed; instructed, learned (in, earlier of, upon). Obsolete except as in 3b. (See also wise man n. 2a, wise woman n. 1.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > [adjective]
yleredc897
keena1000
wisec1000
leredc1154
wittya1225
cunningc1325
taughta1382
clergialc1386
wittilyc1400
philosophicala1425
erudite?a1475
clergyable1488
informeda1500
studieda1513
estudied1550
learned1556
well-read?1576
scholarly1583
scholarlike1588
well-digested1602
literated1611
artificial1618
scienced1636
clerk-like1638
scollardicall1654
philosophic1665
virtuosoa1667
virtuousa1680
doct1694
blue-stockinged1791
bluestocking1793
scholared1830
eruditical1832
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 146 Læcas lærdon, þa þe wisoste wæron, þæt nan man on þam monþe ne drenc ne drunce.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 331 Sone ge it ðor of hauen eten,..ge..sulen..ben so wise alle euene So ðo ðe wunen a-buuen in heuone.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1605 Wys vpon wod-crafteȝ.
c1400 Rule St. Benet (prose) lxiv. 42 Sho aȝht at be wise in goddis law.
c1480 (a1400) St. Eugenia 61 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 126 In al science at dewyce, þar mycht na woman wysare be.
c1505 (title) Here begynneth thystorye of ye .vii. Wyse Maysters of rome.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. iv. 18 But in these nice sharpe Quillets of the Law, Good faith I am no wiser then a Daw. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 179 Wiser and better learned in cases of Law,..than them~selves.
1747 T. Gray Ode Eton Coll. 8 Where Ignorance is Bliss, 'Tis Folly to be wise.
b.
(a) Informed or aware of something specified or implied. Now only in such phrases as none the wiser, as wise as before = knowing no more than before (i.e., usually, nothing) about the matter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > [adjective] > lacking information
none the wiserc1175
unformedc1540
untold1590
uninformed1597
unascertained1628
unnewseda1644
a stranger to1694
unapprised1728
tidingless1822
unenlightened1829
out of the loop1976
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2279 Forr þi wollde ȝho ben wis. Off þatt. þurrh godess enngell.
c1220 Bestiary 799 In water ȝe is wis of heuekes come.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. x. 372 Þis is a longe lessoun,..and litel am I þe wyser.
c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 424 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 41 Þat god wyss þame wald make peteris banis quhilk war of þai, and quhilk war pa[u]lis banis alsa.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 580 Thai maid him wys off all that suttell cace.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. i. 193 He may be ransomde, And we neuer the wiser.
1616 Withals' Dict. 574 Obscurum per obscurius, I am as wise as I was before.
1635 D. Dickson Short Explan. Hebrewes viii. 8. 156 The Church was made wyse of the imperfection of the Olde Covenant.
1713 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 2 Mar. (1948) II. 630 I went to day into the City to see Pat Rolt, who lodges with a City Cozen, a daughter of Coz Cleve (you are much the wiser).
1714 J. Swift Let. to Miss Vanhomrigh 8 June The pretender, or duke of Cambridge, may both be landed, and I never the wiser.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxx. 200 Messrs. Blathers and Duff came back again as wise as they went.
1889 Cent. Mag. July 343/1 Not one whit the wiser of the world than when he left home.
(b) colloquial (originally U.S.). to be (or get) wise to, to be (or become) aware of; to put (one) wise (to), to inform one (of), enlighten one (concerning).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [phrase]
to know what's whatc1422
to know where to find a person1565
to see the light1812
to be awake to1813
to know a move or two1819
to get on to ——1880
to get the strength of1890
to be (or get) wise to1896
to get the picture1900
the penny dropped1939
to pick up1944
to get the message1959
to take on board1979
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (intransitive)]
wit971
knowlOE
to be aware (of, that)a1250
wota1300
be (well) warec1325
to know of ——c1390
not to seek1569
to know for ——1576
to know on ——1608
to have cognizance of1635
reck1764
to be (or get) wise to1896
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)]
canOE
to know of ——c1350
savoura1382
understanda1400
kenc1400
weeta1547
to keep up to1712
to know about ——1761
to be (or get) wise to1896
to wise up1905
to have heard of1907
to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge, know [verb (transitive)] > make or keep informed
familiarize1593
to keep up to1889
to put (one) wise (to)1896
to wise up1905
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
1896 G. Ade Artie ii. 14 I told him that when he wanted to get wise to what was in my hand all he had to do was to dig up his bit and come in.
1896 G. Ade Artie xvii. 155 There was somethin' ailed me, but I was n't wise to it.
1904 Bookman May 248 In the favoured locution of the hour, he ‘put them wise’, and helped them to a clear understanding of the situation.
1913 A. Bennett Regent x. 296 ‘Tell me,..she hasn't got herself arrested yet, has she?’ ‘No. And she won't!’ ‘Why not?’ ‘The police have been put wise.’
1918 H. Bindloss Agatha's Fortune xvii. 158 I suppose it was because the drummer put you wise that you went to Miss Strange?
1923 F. H. Kitchen Divers. Dawson 103 There would be the very devil to pay if Crutchley..got wise to their existence.
1937 G. Heyer They found him Dead ii. 41 Say, sister, get wise to this! You can't put nothin' across on me!
1950 G. Greene Third Man ii. 21 I met him my first term at school... He was a year older and knew the ropes. He put me wise to a lot of things.
1955 M. Gilbert Sky High xv. 210 I suppose Bill had just about got wise to you.
1977 F. Parrish Fire in Barley v. 49 Dan wondered if the arty woman was wise to him.
c. wise guy n. colloquial, originally U.S. an experienced or knowledgeable man; usually ironic or derog., a know-all, a wiseacre; someone who makes sarcastic or annoying remarks; also (with reversal of meaning), someone easily duped; also attributive.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [noun]
clever-boots1847
smarty1847
smart alec1864
clever-clogs1866
clever-sides1886
clever Dick1895
wise guy1896
wisenheimer1904
smarty-pants1935
quiz kid1940
smart apple1940
smarty-boots1950
smart-ass1958
slick1959
clever-sticks1964
smart-arse1965
wise-ass1971
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > duping, making a fool of > [noun] > gullible person, dupe
foola1382
woodcockc1430
geckc1530
cousinc1555
cokes1567
milch cow1582
gudgeon1584
coney1591
martin1591
gull1594
plover1599
rook1600
gull-finch1604
cheatee1615
goata1616
whirligig1624
chouse1649
coll1657
cully1664
bubble1668
lamb1668
Simple Simon?1673
mouth1680
dupe1681
cull1698
bub1699
game1699
muggins1705
colour1707
milk cow1727
flat1762
gulpin1802
slob1810
gaggee1819
sucker1838
hoaxee1840
softie1850
foozle1860
lemon1863
juggins1882
yob1886
patsy1889
yapc1894
fall guy1895
fruit1895
meemaw1895
easy mark1896
lobster1896
mark1896
wise guy1896
come-on1897
pushover1907
John1908
schnookle1908
Gretchen1913
jug1914
schnook1920
soft touch1924
prospect1931
steamer1932
punter1934
dill1941
Joe Soap1943
possum1945
Moreton Bay1953
easy touch1959
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [adjective]
smarty1850
smart alec1877
clever-clever1896
wise guy1920
slick1921
smarty-pants1932
wisenheimer1937
smart-ass1951
smart-assed1957
smart-arsed1962
smarty-boots1962
smart-arse1965
wise-assed1967
wise-ass1971
1896 G. Ade Artie xvi. 149 He was the wise guy and I was the soft mark.
1903 H. Hapgood Autobiogr. Thief iv. 82 When these Rufus's up the State get a Yorker or a wise guy, they'll strip him down to his socks.
1910 W. M. Raine Bucky O'Connor ii. 28 You're wise guys, gents, both of yez.
1920 B. Tarkington Let. 5 Dec. in On Plays, Playwrights & Playgoers (1959) 42 However, they'd made the crowd aware of wise guy superiority.
1922 P. G. Wodehouse Adventures of Sally xiii. 219 Obviously one of the Wise Guys of whom her friend the sporting office~boy had spoken, he was frankly dissatisfied with the exhibition.
1929 W. T. Scanlon God have Mercy on Us! lvi. 331 We had positive orders not to pick up any form of documents and to leave them for the Intelligence Section—the ‘Wise Guy Section’, as we called it.
1932 ‘Ex-Convict No. ——’ Dartmoor from Within viii. 241 I..laugh—loud and long. ‘Conned’—‘conned’ by a pair of kids. I, the wise guy,..‘conned’ by one of..[Nobby's] pupils on my very first night of freedom.
1935 Evening News 29 June 3/1 An immense number of names has been invented for the victims [of confidence men]—..suckers, easy marks, wise guys, come-ons.
1941 B. Schulberg What makes Sammy Run? (1943) i. 7 Listen, wise guy,..if you found something wrong..why didn't you come and tell me?
1959 C. Williams Man in Motion xi. 150 ‘What're you, a wise guy?’ he snarled.
1972 Village Voice (N.Y.) 1 June 50/3 The cop..told Rob he didn't think it was funny, portfolio or not, declared that he was a clear-cut wise guy and placed him under arrest.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 7 Aug. 17/1 Kramer and Roberts seem unable to shake off the brittle, knowing, wise-guy tone of voice.
4. In one's right mind, sane. Now Scottish and dialect.So Dutch wijs. Cf. wisdom n. 4.Cf. Beowulf 3094 wis and gewittig (= fully conscious).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > [adjective]
in (one's right) witc1000
wittyc1000
wisec1290
well-tempered1340
reasonablec1400
safe1402
perfectc1440
well in (also of) one's witsa1450
right in one's geara1500
well-advised1532
sensed1549
unmad1570
well-advised1585
rational1598
solid1606
in one's (right) senses1613
formala1616
of (in) disposing mind or memory1628
compos mentis1631
righta1638
well-hinged1649
well-balanced1652
spacked1673
clear-headed1709
sane1721
unfantastic1794
unmaddened1797
pas si bête1840
lucid1843
unfantastical1862
clothed and in one's right mind1873
right-minded1876
ungiddy1904
clear1950
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 412 Here men miȝhten iseo Hou he pleiȝez with þis ȝongue brid; he ne miȝhte nouȝt wys beo.
a1400 [implied in: Morte Arth. 3817 Schountes he no lengare; Bot alls vnwyse wodewyse he wente at the gayneste. (at unwise adj. 3)].
1481 [implied in: W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 64 I lepe here and there as an vnwyse [Du. onvroet] man. (at unwise adj. 3)].
a1598 D. Fergusson Sc. Prov. (1641) sig. A4 Anes wood, never wise.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. i. 231 Oth. Fire and Brimstone. Des. My Lord. Oth. Are you wise?.. Des. My Lord. Oth. I am glad to see you mad. View more context for this quotation
1881 ‘S. Tytler’ Three Frights (1882) 9 They were each, according to a significant old Scotch phrase, ‘wise (pronounced wice, and meaning rather rational than sagacious) and warld-like’.
5.
†a. to make it wise (see make v.1 54b): to deliberate, hesitate. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)]
thinkOE
thinkOE
bethinka1200
umthinka1300
to have mind ofc1300
casta1340
studya1375
delivera1382
to chew the cudc1384
to take advisementa1393
stema1400
compassc1400
advisec1405
deliberc1405
to make it wisec1405
to take deliberationc1405
enter?a1413
riddlec1426
hovec1440
devise?c1450
to study by (also in) oneself?c1450
considerc1460
porec1500
regard1523
deliberate1543
to put on one's thinking or considering cap1546
contemplate1560
consult1565
perpend1568
vise1568
to consider of1569
weigh1573
ruminate1574
dascanc1579
to lay to (one's) heart1588
pondera1593
debate1594
reflect1596
comment1597
perponder1599
revolvea1600
rumine1605
consider on, upon1606
to think twice1623
reflex1631
spell1645
ponderatea1652
to turn about1725
to cast a thought, a reflection upon1736
to wake over1771
incubatea1847
mull1857
fink1888
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)] > proceed with caution
to make it wisec1405
to feel (out) one's waya1450
to beat the bush1526
to beat about the bush1572
callc1650
to call canny1814
go-easy1860
to plough around1888
pussyfoot1902
to play it by ear1922
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 785 Vs thoughte it was nat worth to make it wys And graunted hym with outen moore avys.
b. to make wise (see make v.1 55): to behave as if one were ‘wise’ about a matter; to pretend, ‘make as if…’ Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [phrase]
makec1275
to make wise1447
make as though?c1450
to let fare1483
to make a show ofa1500
to set a face1560
to take on (also upon) one(self)?1560
to make (a) miena1657
to make believe1773
to put it on1888
to play (the) fox1894
1447 J. Shillingford Lett. (Camden) 14 Hengston seide but litell therto, but made wyse as thogh hit were yes.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer ii. sig. Y.iiiiv The two..went to bed darkelong, laughinge and makinge wise to beleaue that he went about to mocke them.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxii. 216 He makes wise, as if he had not bene a man learned in some of the mathematickes.
1604 S. Hieron Preachers Plea in Wks. (1620) I. 511 Hee..made wise, as if he could haue tolde great tydings.
1834 A. E. Bray Warleigh I. x. 216 Whether she really felt desirous to take this opportunity of gaining repose, or whether, to use a Devonshire phrase, she only ‘made wise’ to do so.
6.
†a. singular usually with definite article or demonstrative: A or the wise man; spec. a sage. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > wise man, sage > [noun]
wise manc888
wisec897
witec900
snoterc950
divinera1387
sage1399
mage?a1425
wisdom1432
wizardc1440
sapientc1550
Solomon1554
oracle1579
sophy1587
Solon1631
sapientipotent1656
magus1700
wiseacre1753
sageshipa1832
Yoda1984
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 220 Se dysega..all his ingeðonc he geypt, ac se wisa hit ieldcað.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 176 Wel fyht þat wel flyhþ, seyþ þe wise.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 79 Þis forknowyng wyse.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 268 Upon the fol, upon the wise Siknesse and hele entrecomune.
1401 26 Pol. Poems iii. 12 Do euene lawe to fooll and wyse.
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 484 Þe wise sayd vnto hym: ‘þis way is bothe fayr & gude’.
b. plural. Wise men or persons: now always with the; †formerly also with demonstrative, possessive, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > wise man, sage > [noun] > group of
wisec1000
wisdom1362
sophi1598
serious-minded1694
the three wise men1867
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 25 Þu þe behyddyst þas þing fram wisun & gleawun.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8393 He bi-heold..wulc of wiisen ærest spæken wolden.
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 973 Dindimus þe dere king, the docktour of wise.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 1 Som matiere, Essampled of these olde wyse.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 26 The wiseste of Caldee Ne cowthen wite what it mente.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20794 Disput, he sais, es na mister, Bituix te wis in swilk a wer.
c1400 26 Pol. Poems i. 167 Fle fro fooles, and folwe wise.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xxix. C I wil destroye the wisdome of their wise.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. ii. i. 21 The bold are but the Instruments o' th' wise.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 562 The learn'd and wise Sarcastic would exclaim.
1851 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art (rev. ed.) in Poems (ed. 7) 119 O silent faces of the Great and Wise.
c. a word to the wise (is enough): = verbum sap phr. Also †few words to the wise suffice, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > phrases indicating conciseness [phrase] > verbum sap
few words to the wise suffice?a1513
verbum sapienti1588
verbum sat1625
a word to the wise (is enough)1639
verbum sap1818
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 143 Few wordis may suffice to the wyis.
1562 J. Mountgomery in Archaeologia (1883) 47 241 Feawe woordes to the wise doeth suffice.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 51 Few words to the wise suffice. Verbum sapienti sat est. A word to the wise.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xix. 127 Nay, if she can withstand him—But a word to the wise, Mr. Reeves! Hem!
d. The comparative wiser as noun (with plural wisers): One who is wiser; usually with possessive, (one's) superior in wisdom. Now rare.Cf. better n.1 2, elder adj. 2, greater n. a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > wise man, sage > [noun] > superior
wisera1300
a1300 Cursor Mundi 26180 Ga til a wijser to sceu þi wond.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypermnestra. 2634 And werke aftyr thyn wisere euere mo.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys v. 292 And of þi wysers lern bettyr gouernaunce.
c1508 Want of Wyse Men (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems R. Henryson (1908) III. 170 For warldly wyn sik walkis, quhen wysar wynkis.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 36 Since it is well known these Dalilahs seduce my wisers and my betters.
1838 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare Guesses at Truth (ed. 2) 1st Ser. 114 All writers who feel an itching..to be carping at their wisers and betters.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iii. xiii. 285 If thou really art my Senior, Seigneur, my Elder,..if thou art in very deed my Wiser.
7. Used as adv. = wisely adj. In later use only in comparative. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > [adverb]
wiselyc888
redlyeOE
spacklya1375
wittilya1375
prudentlya1382
redilyc1391
sagelya1400
sapiently1477
wise1487
wittingly1487
savourly1494
sageouslyc1500
ingeniously1548
judiciously1593
in his (or its, etc.) wisdom1852
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 52 Thou vroucht has vis, That thou discouerit first till me.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. iv. 53 Thou speak'st wiser then thou art ware of. View more context for this quotation
1797 M. Robinson Walsingham IV. 153 I cannot act wiser than to take the little Welsh girl off the hands of her dragon.

Compounds

C1. adverbial with adjective or participle.
wise-bold adv.
ΚΠ
1600 C. Tourneur Transformed Metamorph. sig. C6 With a wise-bold heed.
wise-framed adv.
ΚΠ
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. O3 Wise framed questions would facilitate This precious birth.
wise-hardy adv. (opposed to foolhardy adj. and n.).
ΚΠ
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 59 Valiaunt, & wizehardy.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 583/2 Of courage inuincible,..wise-hardie alwaies.
wise-judging adv.
ΚΠ
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 66 Why men so disesteem this wise-judging Law of God.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. vii. 167 Many wise-judging men.
wise-reflecting adv.
ΚΠ
1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad vi. 110 By no means could she persuade just-minded, wise-reflecting Bellerophon.
wise-said adv.
ΚΠ
1597 Pilgrimage Parnassus i. 113 Youre wise-said says Keepe mee from devious..wayes!
wise-valiant adv.
ΚΠ
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Astrophel & Stella lxxv He could young wise, wise valliant frame His Syres revenge.
C2. attributive with noun.
wise-ass n. and adj. (cf. smart-ass adj. and n.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [noun]
clever-boots1847
smarty1847
smart alec1864
clever-clogs1866
clever-sides1886
clever Dick1895
wise guy1896
wisenheimer1904
smarty-pants1935
quiz kid1940
smart apple1940
smarty-boots1950
smart-ass1958
slick1959
clever-sticks1964
smart-arse1965
wise-ass1971
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [adjective]
smarty1850
smart alec1877
clever-clever1896
wise guy1920
slick1921
smarty-pants1932
wisenheimer1937
smart-ass1951
smart-assed1957
smart-arsed1962
smarty-boots1962
smart-arse1965
wise-assed1967
wise-ass1971
1971 Current Slang (Univ. S. Dakota) 5 iv. 21 Wise ass, n., a wise guy.
1972 J. Poyer Chinese Agenda iii. 17 Listen to what I have to say, then you can make all the wise-ass remarks you want.
1978 J. Irving World according to Garp iv. 66 Benny Potter from New York—a born wise-ass.
1978 J. Irving World according to Garp iv. 67 It was unfortunate that wise-ass Benny Potter was the first to tell Garp the news.
wisebones n. (humorous appellation for a wiseacre).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > wise man, sage > pretender to wisdom, wiseacre > [noun]
owl1568
tire-brain1589
wiseacre1595
Solonist1607
formalist1612
nodder1625
Solon1631
wiseling1633
self-wiseling1649
sophy1649
Solomon1656
conjurer1668
wisdomship1692
sage1751
wisehead1756
wisebones1894
1894 L. Alma-Tadema Wings of Icarus v. 26 There you go, old wisebones! Here's a storm in a tea-cup!
wise-heart adj. (= wise-hearted).
ΚΠ
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. viii. 136 The cunning of wise-heart Hephæstus' snare.
C3. Parasynthetic.
wise-assed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [adjective]
smarty1850
smart alec1877
clever-clever1896
wise guy1920
slick1921
smarty-pants1932
wisenheimer1937
smart-ass1951
smart-assed1957
smart-arsed1962
smarty-boots1962
smart-arse1965
wise-assed1967
wise-ass1971
1967 P. Tamony Americanisms (typescript) No. 18. 2 A fantastic display of brash male and female wise-assed mediocrity.
1976 ‘Trevanian’ Main xii. 260 Some wiseassed note about the bad luck of getting a parking ticket the same night you get killed.
wise-hearted adj.
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xxxv. 26 Soch wemen as were wyse herted.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason ii. 44 Men there are Wise-hearted.
wise-lipped adj.
ΚΠ
1818 H. H. Milman Samor i. 384 Wise-lipp'd chief.
wise-worded adj. (Middle English wis iworded).
ΚΠ
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Sum is swa wel ileared oðer swa wis iworded [etc.].

Draft additions 1997

wise use n. originally and chiefly U.S. environmental policy which favours stricter controls on existing methods of exploiting natural resources, as opposed to policies which seek either to find alternative resources or to prevent such exploitation altogether; chiefly attributive, esp. designating (members of) a movement advocating such a policy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [noun] > preservation from decay, loss, or destruction > environmental policy of
conservation1875
wise use1989
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [adjective] > preserving from decay, loss, or destruction > environmental policy of
green1973
wise use1989
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [adjective] > preserving from decay, loss, or destruction > environmental policy of > designating members of movement
wise use1989
1989 R. Annold in A. Gottlieb Wise Use Agenda p. xviii The Wise Use Movement argues that such dour anti-people attitudes have no place in an ethical view of mankind.
1989 USA Today 3 May 10 a/1 For 25 years, environmentalists have driven one ranch after another into non-use classifications such as ‘wilderness’. But they've radicalized so many people the Wise Use Movement has arisen to defend commodity production on our federal lands.
1991 U.S. News & World Rep. Nov. 5/3 Now, the exploiters and developers have introduced the euphemism ‘wise use’ for wilderness destruction.
1992 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch 10 May a8/1 The timber industry says plenty of old-growth forest still exists, and that the industry has adopted a ‘wise use’ policy that will maintain the integrity of the region's forests.

Draft additions March 2008

wise guy n. U.S. slang (frequently in form wiseguy) a gangster; a person involved in organized crime.
Π
1956 Lima (Ohio) News 29 June 2/5 ‘Wise guy’ slayer draws prison term... Described by the state's attorney as a ‘little gangster and a typical wise guy’.
1962 L. Frankenberg in S. V. Baum E. E. Cummings & Critics viii. 144 He talks frequently out of the corner of his mouth, in his own brand of the vernacular based, in attitude and idiom, on the American wiseguy.
1985 N. Pileggi Wiseguy 19 At the age of twelve my ambition was to be a gangster. To be a wiseguy... To be a wiseguy was to own the world.
2005 N.Y. Mag. 17 Jan. 31/3 Mikey Scars's grandfather had been a ‘blackhand’shtarker (enforcer) a hundred years ago in New York, and his father had been a wiseguy, too.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

wisev.1

Brit. /wʌɪz/, U.S. /waɪz/
Forms: Old English wisian, Middle English wisie, Middle English–1500s (1700s–1800s Scottish and dialect) wyse, (Middle English vyse, 1500s past participle wizde), 1600s (1800s dialect) wize, Middle English–1600s (1800s dialect) wise, 1800s Scottish weise, weize.
Etymology: Old English wísian to show the way = Old Frisian wîsa , Old Saxon wîsian , Middle Low German, Middle Dutch wîsen (Dutch wijzen ), Old High German wîsan (Middle High German wîsen , German weisen , now conjugated as a strong verb), Old Norse vísa (Swedish visa , Danish vise ). Gothic fulla-weisjan πείθειν : < Old Germanic *wîsaz wise adj. (Compare wis v.1)
Obsolete exc. Scottish and northern dialect.
1. transitive. To show the way to (a person); to guide, direct; †hence, to direct or manage the affairs of, govern, rule (obsolete); also in modern dialect, to induce, entice away, from…; to instruct, inform.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > guide
wieldeOE
steera1000
wisc1000
wiseOE
turnc1175
kenc1200
conduec1330
dressc1330
govern1340
addressc1350
guidea1400
conducec1475
conduct1481
rectifya1500
besteer1603
helm1607
engineer1831
beacon1835
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)]
teec888
tightc1000
drawc1175
tollc1220
till?c1225
ticec1275
bringc1300
entice1303
win1303
wina1340
tempt1340
misdrawa1382
wooa1387
lure1393
trainc1425
allurea1450
attract?a1475
lock1481
enlure1486
attice1490
allect1518
illect?1529
wind1538
disarm1553
call1564
troll1565
embait1567
alliciate1568
slock1594
enamour1600
court1602
inescate1602
fool1620
illure1638
magnetize1658
trepana1661
solicit1665
whistle1665
drill1669
inveigh1670
siren1690
allicit1724
wisea1810
come-hither1954
OE Beowulf 320 Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode gumum ætgædere.
c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxv. 5 Iacob ferde þa mid ealre his hiwrædene, swa him god wisode.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 973 Þu..seist þu uisest [v.r. wisest] mankunne Þat hi biwepen hore sunne.
c1250 Prayer to Our Lady 2 in Old Eng. Misc. 192 Þu wisie me nuþe for ich eom eirede.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 602 Wise me & wite me..whuder ich mæi liðan.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 10755 Sire steuene of segraue was imad þo hei iustise In sire hubertes stude de boru þut lond wel to wise.
c1320 Cast. Love 297 Wiþ-oute whom he ne mai His kindom wiþ pees wysen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 17931 Quen i þe gan wis To þe ȝatis of paradis.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2988 Alexander..trottis him to þe trod-gate, as him þe torche wyssis [Dubl. vysys].
c1400 Song Roland 303 ‘Now wise vs crist!’ quod Roulond.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ix. 88 Mahowne, he wyse the on thi way.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 130 Alwayes wysing and making your Hawke to leane in vpon you.
1594 R. Carew tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne iv. 153 To be wizde what cause her thither drew.
1604 H. Broughton Aduert. Corrupt. Handling Relig. sig. E3v Tremelius might haue wised M. Liuely.
1606 N. Baxter Sir Philip Sydneys Ouránia sig. D2 She [sc. the Moon] wizeth Surgeons when to ope a veine.
1610 H. Broughton Iob xxxv. 71 Who doth teach vs more than the beasts of the earth: and wiseth vs above the foules of the heaven.
1657 J. Trapp Comm. Ezra viii. 16 Being themselves wise, and willing to wise others.
a1810 R. Tannahill Dear Highland Laddie (song) ii The Laird's wys'd awa' by braw Highland laddie, O.
1821 J. Galt Ann. Parish xxxviii. 310 She..took me by the hand, and wised me to go back.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Wise, to shew or direct. ‘Wise him in.’ ‘Wise him out.’
2.
a. To direct the course or movement of; to move in some direction or into some position; to convey, conduct; to turn (in various connections: see quots.); also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > cause to move in a direction [verb (transitive)]
steerc888
righteOE
wisec1330
guy1362
makea1425
guide?a1505
to make forth1508
direct1526
to make out1560
bend1582
incline1597
work1667
usher1668
head1826
humour1847
vector1966
target1974
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > drive a vehicle [verb (transitive)] > steer
wisec1330
guy1362
guide?a1505
steer1756
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13698 His hors on hym [sc. Bokkus] his bridel wysed.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21272 And wain-men wit four quelis wises.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 78 The forgh is best, ille humour out to wise.
1606 N. Baxter Sir Philip Sydneys Ouránia sig. C3 Planets..Knowne to each Figure-flinger..That wize from thence many an vncouth-tale.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vii. 162 Now, weize yoursel a wee easel-ward—a wee mair yet to that ither stane.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (at cited word) Wise off that rope there.
a1827 in W. Scott Jrnl. 2 Aug. (1941) 84 Stuff with moss, and clagg with clay, And that will weize the water away.
1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. iv. x. 83 Mr. Bell quietly wised the conversation upon juvenile indiscretions.
1862 S. Smiles Lives Engineers III. 113 Wise on the Hydrogen, Nichol!
1862 A. Hislop Prov. Scotl. 58 Every miller wad weise the water to his ain mill.
1867 J. K. Hunter Retrospect Artist's Life (1912) xiv. 135 The little fish rushed to the shore before him, as he quietly wysed them shoreward.
b. To direct, aim, ‘send’, shoot (a missile) (Scottish); †figurative to utter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)]
speakc825
queatheOE
forthdoc900
i-seggenc900
sayeOE
speak971
meleOE
quidOE
spella1000
forthbringc1000
givec1175
warpa1225
mootc1225
i-schirea1250
upbringa1250
outsay?c1250
spilec1275
talec1275
wisea1300
crackc1315
nevena1325
cast1330
rehearsec1330
roundc1330
spend1362
carpa1375
sermona1382
to speak outc1384
usea1387
minc1390
pronouncea1393
lancec1400
mellc1400
nurnc1400
slingc1400
tellc1400
wordc1400
yelpc1400
worka1425
utterc1444
outspeakc1449
yielda1450
arecchec1460
roose?a1475
cutc1525
to come forth with1532
bubble1536
prolate1542
report1548
prolocute1570
bespeak1579
wield1581
upbraid1587
up with (also mid) ——1594
name1595
upbrayc1600
discoursea1616
tonguea1616
to bring out1665
voice1665
emit1753
lip1789
to out with1802
pitch1811
go1836
to open one's head1843
vocabulize1861
shoot1915
verbal1920
be1982
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > aim at > aim (a blow, weapon, etc.)
reachOE
seta1300
shapec1400
ettlec1450
charge1509
bend1530
level1530
aimc1565
butt1594
levy1618
to give level to1669
wise1721
intenda1734
train1795
sight1901
to zero in1944
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > project through space
to let flyOE
shootc1290
bolta1420
dischargec1500
speeda1569
outshoota1586
emit1711
wing1718
wise1721
arrow1796
wing1970
bomb-
a1300 Cursor Mundi 24103 Quen i wend word to wise.
1721 A. Ramsay Ode to Ph—— ii Fowk wysing a Jee The Byass Bouls on Tamson's Green.
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. xi. 132 Mony o' them wadna mind a bawbee the weising a ball through the Prince himsell. View more context for this quotation
c. intransitive for reflexive. To direct one's course, make one's way, betake oneself, go.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]
nimeOE
becomec885
teec888
goeOE
i-goc900
lithec900
wendeOE
i-farec950
yongc950
to wend one's streetOE
fare971
i-wende971
shakeOE
winda1000
meteOE
wendOE
strikec1175
seekc1200
wevec1200
drawa1225
stira1225
glidea1275
kenc1275
movec1275
teemc1275
tightc1275
till1297
chevec1300
strake13..
travelc1300
choosec1320
to choose one's gatea1325
journeyc1330
reachc1330
repairc1330
wisec1330
cairc1340
covera1375
dressa1375
passa1375
tenda1375
puta1382
proceedc1392
doa1400
fanda1400
haunta1400
snya1400
take?a1400
thrilla1400
trace?a1400
trinea1400
fangc1400
to make (also have) resortc1425
to make one's repair (to)c1425
resort1429
ayrec1440
havea1450
speer?c1450
rokec1475
wina1500
hent1508
persevere?1521
pursuec1540
rechec1540
yede1563
bing1567
march1568
to go one's ways1581
groyl1582
yode1587
sally1590
track1590
way1596
frame1609
trickle1629
recur1654
wag1684
fadge1694
haul1802
hike1809
to get around1849
riddle1856
bat1867
biff1923
truck1925
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 10956 Vnto þer contres he bad þem wyse.
1721 A. Ramsay Robert Richy & Sandy 69 But see the Sheep are wysing to the Cleugh.
3. transitive. To show, point out (the way). †Also, to cause to be seen, show, reveal (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)]
wisec1400
to beat out1672
signpost1895
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be or make visible [verb (transitive)] > make visible
wisec1400
show1532
reveal1590
unbosom1610
unveil1656
visualize1912
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 1135 A wounde ful wyde..con wyse An-ende hys hert þurȝ hyde to-rente.
c1400 Rule St. Benet (verse) 138 Wysand vs þe way to heuen.
c1450 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 226 The printe of a palsy wisith the thy way.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. x. 216 I'll hae somebody waiting to weise ye the gate to the place.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

wisev.2

Brit. /wʌɪz/, U.S. /waɪz/
Etymology: < wise adj. 3b (b).
1. to wise up (U.S. slang): to ‘get wise’; to ‘put wise’. Frequently const. on or to. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (intransitive)] > reach understanding of
reach1582
tumble1846
to catch on1882
waken1899
to wise up1905
to tune in1926
to cotton on1929
plug1948
latch1954
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)]
canOE
to know of ——c1350
savoura1382
understanda1400
kenc1400
weeta1547
to keep up to1712
to know about ——1761
to be (or get) wise to1896
to wise up1905
to have heard of1907
to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge, know [verb (transitive)] > make or keep informed
familiarize1593
to keep up to1889
to put (one) wise (to)1896
to wise up1905
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
1905 R. E. Beach Pardners iv. 113 I cast the bad eye on the boys to wise 'em up.
1919 J. Buchan Mr. Standfast iii. 70 You've got to wise up about Gresson with the whole forces of the British State arrayed officially against you.
1922 P. G. Wodehouse Girl on Boat i. 25 You won't wise him up that I threw a spanner into the machinery?
1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby vii. 124 I just got wised up to something funny the last few days.
1929 Princeton Alumni Weekly 24 May 982/2 To stick out one's neck is to commit an unpardonable error, to lay oneself open to criticism... A persistent offender should wise up on himself.
1955 W. Gaddis Recognitions i. iv. 158 Yeah, you got to wise up to yourself, see?
1960 C. MacInnes Mr. Love & Justice 26 That's..what I'm wising myself up on.
1971 Wall St. Jrnl. 10 Mar. 1/4 Antique dealers are wising up to the growing demand for old radios.
1984 Listener 7 June 36/3 ‘Write a poem about it,’ he suggests. ‘Wise up, sir,’ the new generation tells him.
2. to wise off (U.S. slang): to make wisecracks at someone.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > caustic or ironic ridicule > ridicule caustically or ironically [verb (transitive)]
touch1526
jerk1565
quip1572
quirk1596
satire1602
satirize1619
sarcasmatize1716
iron1793
to wise off1943
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > sarcasm > be sarcastic [verb (intransitive)]
quip1542
slent1567
quib1580
to crack wisea1774
to wise off1943
wisecrack1946
1943 Yank 2 July 10 I'd love to have one of those acting noncoms wise off at me.
1981 P. Mallory Killing Matter xiii. 136 He's a real meanie. I wouldn't be wising off at him if I were you.

Derivatives

wised-up adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > [adjective] > knowledgeable, well-informed
knowinga1398
well-knowingc1425
scientc1475
advertised1481
well-informeda1500
scientive1575
callent1656
fly1811
knowledgeable1825
factful1853
dungeonable1855
knowful1855
woke up1871
in the know1883
to be jerry1908
hipped1920
wised-up1926
clueful1943
genned-up1945
clued (up)1948
1926 J. Black You can't Win xx. 301 I could make a living without taking tough chances against wised-up city police.
1952 M. McCarthy Groves of Academe (1953) x. 205 His wised-up air was as irritating..as Donna's exaggerations.
1973 R. Parkes Guardians ix. 172 It's nasty. Very nasty. But at least I'm wised up now.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

> see also

also refers to : -wisecomb. form
<
n.1c888n.2OEadj.n.3adv.c897v.1OEv.21905
see also
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