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.
[R.] ``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.
[Obs.] `` 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. [Obs.]
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.
To love her in my beste wyse. --Chaucer.
This song she sings in most commanding wise. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Let not these blessings then, sent from above, Abused
be, or spilt in profane wise. --Fairfax.
Note: This word is nearly obsolete, except in such phrases as
in any wise, in no wise, on this wise, etc. `` Fret not
thyself in any wise to do evil.'' --Ps. xxxvii. 8. ``He
shall in no wise lose his reward.'' --Matt. x. 42. ``
On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel.''
--Num. vi. 23.
Note: Wise is often used as a suffix in composition, as in
likewise, nowise, lengthwise, etc., in which words
-ways is often substituted with the same sense; as,
noways, lengthways, etc.