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wise 1 (wīz)
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adj. wis·er, wis·est
1. Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious: a wise leader.
2.
a. Exhibiting common sense; prudent: a wise decision.
b. Shrewd; crafty: made a wise move selling the house when he did.
3. Provided with information; informed. Often used with to: I'm wise to your tricks. We were none the wiser after reading the report.
4. Slang Rude and disrespectful; impudent.
Phrasal Verb:
wise up Slang
To make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.

[Middle English, from Old English wīs; see weid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

wisely adv.
wiseness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
wise 2 (wīz)
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n.
Method or manner of doing; way: in no wise; in any wise.

[Middle English, from Old English wīse; see weid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
-wise
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suff.
1. In a specified manner, direction, or position: clockwise.
2. With reference to; in regard to: profitwise.

[Middle English, from Old English -wīsan, from -wīse, manner; see WISE2.]

Usage Note: The suffix -wise has a long history of use to mean "in the manner or direction of," as in clockwise, otherwise, and slantwise. Since the 1930s, however, the suffix has been widely used in the vaguer sense of "with respect to," as in This has not been a good year saleswise. Taxwise, it is an unattractive arrangement. Since their introduction, these usages have been associated with informal prose, and they are still considered by many to be awkward. For this reason, they might best be avoided, especially in formal writing. The most obvious alternative is to use paraphrases, as in This has not been a good year with respect to sales. As far as taxes are concerned, it is an unattractive arrangement.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
Wise (wīz), Stephen Samuel 1874-1949.
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Hungarian-born American religious leader who was an ardent Zionist and founded the World Jewish Congress (1936).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.