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-wise - 3 dictionary results

-wise

 
a suffixal use of wise 2 in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.: counterclockwise; edgewise; marketwise; timewise.
Compare -ways.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : -wise
Spanish: sabio, German: weise, Japanese: 賢い
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-wise  
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, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Wise River, MT Zip code(s): 59762

Wise County, TX (county, FIPS 497) Location: 33.21545 N, 97.65270 W
Population (1990): 34679 (14219 housing units)
Area: 2343.1 sq km (land), 47.1 sq km (water)

Wise County, VA (county, FIPS 195) Location: 36.97456 N, 82.62168 W
Population (1990): 39573 (15927 housing units)
Area: 1044.7 sq km (land), 3.1 sq km (water)

Wise, VA (town, FIPS 87072) Location: 36.97725 N, 82.58044 W
Population (1990): 3193 (1419 housing units)
Area: 7.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 24293

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau
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