(a) One who has discretion in temporal matters, a thoughtful, discerning, or rational person; one governed by reason, moderation, good sense, or cautiousness; also, one who dispenses sound judgments, an advisor, a counselor, an elder; wise-men red, the counsel of the elders; (b) one who has spiritual insight; one endowed with spiritual wisdom; also, one who imparts spiritual wisdom, a preacher, religious teacher, prophet; right ~, = right-wise man, s.v. right-wis(e adj. 3.(a); (c) one who has profound intellectual attainment, an erudite person, a scholar; also, one who transmits secular learning or wisdom, a master, teacher, sage; also, one versed in the magical or occult arts, a magus, seer; (d) one who has expertise in a practical discipline, a skilled person, an expert; one who is capable, a competent person; also, a cunning or devious person; (e) in proverbs and prov. expressions; (f) as surname; also as surname of allegorical figure [quot. c1400]; also as sobriquet.