Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WISE, a. [s as z; Sax. wis, wise; G. weise; D. wys; Sw. vis; Dan. viis; Sax. wissan, G. wissen, to know; Sans. vid. This in Dutch, is weeten, to know, which is the Goth. witan, Sax. witan, Eng. to wit, perhaps Gr. ειδεω. So that wise, wit, weet, wot, are all from one root, or dialectical forms of the same word; Ir. fois, feas, knowledge; W. gwys, gwyz, Sans. widja, intelligence. In general, the radical sense of know is to reach or to hold, from extension, stretching. In this case, it may be to show, to disclose, from a like sense; for in Sw. visa, Dan. viser, G. weisen, D. wysen, is to show. In this case, L. video, visum, which seems to be connected with this word, may coincide in origin with wide. Wistful, attentive, eager, is from reaching forward.]

1. Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper and what is improper; as, a wise prince; a wise magistrate. Solomon was deemed the wisest man. But a man may be speculatively and not practically wise. Hence,
2. Discreet and judicious in the use or application of knowledge; choosing laudable ends, and the best means to accomplish them. This is to be practically wise. – Gen. xli.
3. Skillful; dextrous. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. – Jer. iv.
4. Learned; knowing; as, the wise and the unwise. – Rom. i.
5. Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. – 2 Sam. xiv.
6. Godly; pious. – Prov. xiii. The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation. – 2 Tim. iii.
7. Skilled in hidden arts; a sense somewhat ironical; as, the wise woman of Brainford. – Shak.
8. Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing wisdom; judicious; well adapted to produce good effects; applicable to things; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.
9. Becoming a wise man; grave; discreet; as, wise deportment. – Milton.