Wise \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.