wisdom

English

/ˈwɪzdəm/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
  • (countable) A piece of wise advice.
  • The discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest good.
  • The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained.
  • The ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding.
  • (theology) The ability to know and apply spiritual truths.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wisdom inherited from Old English wīsdōm (wisdom) inherited from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz (wisdom) affix from English wise (way, manner, knowledgeable), wise (way, manner, knowledgeable) + English doom (judgement)root from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (see, know, behold, perceive, find, view, look at).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*weyd-

Gloss

see, know, behold, perceive, find, view, look at

Concept
Semantic Field

Sense perception

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

知

Emoji
🙈 🪚

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms