wisdom

wisdom
wis|dom [ `wızdəm ] noun uncount **
1. ) the ability to make good decisions based on knowledge and experience:
The Egyptian leader was praised for his courage, wisdom, and flexibility.
2. ) knowledge that you have gained over a long period:
the fount of all wisdom (=someone who knows everything): You can't argue with a child who thinks their teacher is the fount of all wisdom.
conventional/received/traditional wisdom
what most people believe to be true:
The conventional wisdom is that governments should lead rather than simply reflect public opinion.
in his/her/their wisdom HUMOROUS
used for emphasizing that you do not understand why someone has done something and you think it seems silly:
The last government, in its infinite wisdom, decided not to introduce the measure.
pearls/words of wisdom
very wise remarks. This expression is often used for saying that a remark is very silly:
The media assembled to catch the minister's pearls of political wisdom.
the wisdom of (doing) something
how sensible something is:
People are already questioning the wisdom of the move.
He disagreed with the minister on the wisdom of raising taxes.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:

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  • Wisdom — is a concept of personal gaining of knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion, and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity to apply these qualities well towards finding solutions to problems. It is the judicious and purposeful… …   Wikipedia

  • Wisdom — Wis dom ( d[u^]m), n. [AS. w[imac]sd[=o]m. See {Wise}, a., and { dom}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it; knowledge of the best ends and the best means; discernment and judgment;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wisdom — Données clés Titre original Wisdom Réalisation Emilio Estévez Robert Wise (non crédité) Scénario Emilio Estévez Acteurs principaux Demi Moore Emilio Estévez T …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Wisdom — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Jack Wisdom (* 1953), amerikanischer Physiker Arthur John Terence Dibben Wisdom, besser bekannt als John Wisdom (1904 1993), britischer Philosoph Norman Wisdom (1915–2010), britischer Schauspieler Tom… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • wisdom — O.E. wisdom, from wis (see WISE (Cf. wise) (adj.)) + DOM (Cf. 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 …   Etymology dictionary

  • wisdom — I noun acumen, astuteness, caliber, clear thinking, cognition, common sense, comprehension, discernment, discretion, edification, enlightenment, erudition, experience, good judgment, information, insight, intellectuality, intelligence, knowledge …   Law dictionary

  • Wisdom — Wisdom, MT U.S. Census Designated Place in Montana Population (2000): 114 Housing Units (2000): 88 Land area (2000): 0.949779 sq. miles (2.459917 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.007316 sq. miles (0.018949 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.957095 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wisdom, MT — U.S. Census Designated Place in Montana Population (2000): 114 Housing Units (2000): 88 Land area (2000): 0.949779 sq. miles (2.459917 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.007316 sq. miles (0.018949 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.957095 sq. miles (2.478866 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • wisdom — [wiz′dəm] n. [ME < OE < wis, WISE1 + dom, DOM] 1. the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity 2. learning;… …   English World dictionary

  • wisdom — judgment, *sense, gumption Analogous words: discretion, *prudence, foresight: judiciousness, sageness, saneness, sapience (see corresponding adjectives at WISE): sagacity, perspicacity, shrewdness (see corresponding adjectives at SHREWD) Antonyms …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • wisdom — [n] insight, common sense acumen, astuteness, balance, brains*, caution, circumspection, clear thinking, comprehension, discernment, discrimination, enlightenment, erudition, experience, foresight, good judgment, gumption*, horse sense*,… …   New thesaurus

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