WISE MAN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wise man mean? 

• WISE MAN (noun)
  The noun WISE MAN has 1 sense:

1. a wise and trusted guide and advisor

  Familiarity information: WISE MAN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WISE MAN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A wise and trusted guide and advisor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

mentor; wise man

Hypernyms ("wise man" is a kind of...):

intellect; intellectual (a person who uses the mind creatively)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "wise man"):

sage (a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom)

 Context examples 

“A man-cook and a cottage,” he said, “are all that a wise man requires.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Or like a wise man looking upon fools and wishing he, too, were a fool,” I laughed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

An older and more world-wise man might have been puzzled by her varying moods, her sudden prejudices, her quick resentment at all constraint and authority.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And a wise man he must have been to think so!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I suspect that is a wise man," remarked Mr. March, with placid satisfaction, from the hearthrug, after the last guest had gone.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

As for the captain, he had carried his over his shoulder by a bandoleer, and like a wise man, lock uppermost.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours to catch me tripping in some part of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of my veracity.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

She began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty, and to feel that if greatness is what a wise man has defined it to be, 'truth, reverence, and good will', then her friend Friedrich Bhaer was not only good, but great.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I told him, “that a first or chief minister of state, who was the person I intended to describe, was the creature wholly exempt from joy and grief, love and hatred, pity and anger; at least, makes use of no other passions, but a violent desire of wealth, power, and titles; that he applies his words to all uses, except to the indication of his mind; that he never tells a truth but with an intent that you should take it for a lie; nor a lie, but with a design that you should take it for a truth; that those he speaks worst of behind their backs are in the surest way of preferment; and whenever he begins to praise you to others, or to yourself, you are from that day forlorn. The worst mark you can receive is a promise, especially when it is confirmed with an oath; after which, every wise man retires, and gives over all hopes.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)