\Wise\, a. [Compar. {Wiser}; superl. {Wisest}.] [OE. wis,
AS. w[=i]s; akin to OS. & OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, G. weise,
OHG. w[=i]s, w[=i]si, Icel. v[=i]ss, Sw. vis, Dan. viis,
Goth. weis; akin to wit, v. i. See {Wit}, v., and cf.
{Righteous}, {Wisdom}.]
1. Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive
   information; erudite; learned.
         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.

\Wise\, a. [OE. wise, AS. w[=i]se; akin to OS. w[=i]sa,
OFries. w[=i]s, D. wijs, wijze, OHG. w[=i]sa, G. weise, Sw.
vis, Dan. viis, Icel. ["o]?ruv[=i]s otherwise; from the root
of E. wit; hence, originally, knowledge, skill. See {Wit},
v., and cf. {Guise}.]
Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion. ``All armed in
complete wise.'' --Spenser.
      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.