wisdom

See also: Wisdom

English

Etymology

From Middle English wisdom, from Old English wīsdōm (“wisdom”), from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz (“wisdom”), corresponding to wise +‎ -dom or wise +‎ doom (“judgement”). Cognate with Scots wisdom, wysdom (“wisdom”), West Frisian wiisdom (“wisdom”), Dutch wijsdom (“wisdom”), German Weistum (“legal sentence”), Danish/Norwegian/Swedish visdom (“wisdom”), Icelandic vísdómur (“wisdom”).

Pronunciation

Noun

wisdom (countable and uncountable, plural wisdoms)

  1. (uncountable) An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
  2. (countable) A piece of wise advice.
  3. The discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest good.
  4. The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained.
  5. The ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding.
  6. (theology) The ability to know and apply spiritual truths.
    • 1652, Eugenius Philalethes, The Fame and Confeſſion of the Fraternity of…the Roſie Croſs, pages 1–2 of the preface
      Wiſdom…is to a man an infinite Treaſure, for ſhe is the Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the Glory of the Almighty; ſhe is the Brightneſs of Eternal Light, and an undefiled Mirror of the Majeſty of God, and an Image of his Goodneſs; ſhe teacheth us Soberneſs and Prudence, Righteouſneſs and Strength; ſhe underſtands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark ſentences; ſhe foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what ſhall happen in time to come.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations
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See also

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English wīsdom. Equivalent to wys +‎ -dom.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /wizdəm/

Noun

wisdom (plural wisdomes)

  1. wisdom

Descendants

Old English

Alternative forms
  • ƿīsdōm

Etymology

From wīs +‎ dōm, or from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz. Cognate with Old Frisian and Old Saxon wīsdom, Old High German wīstuom, Old Norse vísdómr.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈwiːsdoːm/, [ˈwiːzdoːm]

Noun

wīsdōm m

  1. wisdom

Declension
Declension of wisdom (strong a-stem)
Case Singular Plural
nominative wīsdōm wīsdōmas
accusative wīsdōm wīsdōmas
genitive wīsdōmes wīsdōma
dative wīsdōme wīsdōmum

Descendants
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