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Meaning of WISEACRE

Pronunciation:  'wIz`eykur

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: [n]  an upstart who makes conceited, sardonic, insolent comments
 
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 Synonyms: smart aleck, weisenheimer, wise guy, wisenheimer
 
 See Also: upstart

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Wise"a*cre\, n. [OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a
foreteller, prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy,
OHG. w[=i]ssag?n, corrupted (as if compounded of the words
for wise and say) fr. w[=i]zzag?n, fr. w[=i]zzag? a prophet,
akin to AS. w[=i]tiga, w[=i]tga, from the root of E. wit. See
{Wit}, v.]
1. A learned or wise man. [Obs.]
         Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty
         wiseacre.                             --Leland.
2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise
   person; hence, in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce.
 

 

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