O.E. wisdom, from wis (see wise (adj.)) + -dom. A common Gmc. compound (cf. O.S., O.Fris. wisdom, O.N. visdomr, O.H.G. wistuom "wisdom," Ger. Weistum "judicial sentence serving as a precedent"). Wisdom teeth so called from 1848 (earlier teeth of wisdom, 1668), a loan-translation of L. dentes sapientiæ, itself a loan-transl. of Gk. sophronisteres (used by Hippocrates, from sophron "prudent, self-controlled"), so called because they usually appear ages 17-25, when a person reaches adulthood.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
2.
the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight [ant: folly]
3.
ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
4.
the quality of being prudent and sensible [ant: unsoundness]
5.
an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC [syn: Wisdom of Solomon]
Knowl"edge\, n. [OE. knowlage, knowlege, knowleche, knawleche. The last part is the Icel. suffix -leikr, forming abstract nouns, orig. the same as Icel. leikr game, play, sport, akin to AS. l[=a]c, Goth. laiks dance. See Know, and cf. Lake, v. i., Lark a frolic.]1. The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition. Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions. --Locke. 2. That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; -- chiefly used in the plural. There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges. --Bacon. Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow "cognitions" to express its import. --Sir W. Hamilton. To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges. --H. Spencer. 3. That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. --1 Cor. viii. 1. Ignorance is the curse of God; - Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. --Shak. 4. That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life. Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea. --1 Kings ix. 27. 5. Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge. Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me? --Ruth ii. 10. 6. Sexual intercourse; -- usually preceded by carnal; as, carnal knowledge. Syn: See Wisdom.
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