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-wise. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-wise, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-wise in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-wise you have here. The definition of the word
-wise will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
-wise, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English -wis, from Old English -wīs (“-wise”), from Proto-West Germanic *-wīs, from Proto-Germanic *-wīsaz, from Proto-Germanic *wīsaz (“wise, skilled, knowledgeable”), related to Old English wīs, wīse (“manner, way, fashion”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian -wiese, Dutch -wijs, German -weise, Danish -vis, Swedish -vis, Norwegian Bokmål -vis (“-wise”). More at wise (“way, manner”).
Pronunciation
Suffix
-wise
- In the direction or orientation of.
- The gaoler slowly turned the key clockwise.
- In the manner of.
- You need to follow the instructions carefully; otherwise, the project may not turn out.
- Contrariwise, it could be a good idea.
- In the matter of; with regard to.
- This morning looks promising, weather-wise.
1919, Saki, “The Penance”, in The Toys of Peace, page 423:They had parents in India—that much Octavian had learned in the neighbourhood; the children, beyond grouping themselves garment-wise into sexes, a girl and two boys, carried their life-story no further on his behoof.
- One at a time, or one thing at a time.
- Add the reagent dropwise to the solution.
Usage notes
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
in the direction or orientation of
in the matter of, with regard to
Old English
Etymology
From wīse (“manner, way, condition, direction”).
Pronunciation
Suffix
-wīse
- (noun suffix) state of, manner of, condition; direction
- riht (“just, right”) + -wīse → rihtwīse (“righteousness, justice”)
- cniht (“boy, youth”) + -wīse → cnihtwīse (“boyishness”)
- cyne- (“public, nation, kindred”) + -wīse → cynewīse (“commonweath, state”)
- lēoþ (“song, tune, poem”) + -wīse → lēoþwīse (“poetry, verse”)
- bēag (“ring, hoop, circle”) + -wīse → bēagwīse (“sphere, circular form”)
- (noun suffix) the custom or fashion of
- mynster (“minister”) + -wīse → mynsterwīse (“monastic custom”)
- fierd (“militia”) + -wīse → fierdwīse (“military style”)
- (adverbial suffix) in the manner or fashion of; in the direction of
- hyse (“son, youth”) + -wīse → hysewīse (“like a young man”)
Declension
Declension of -wise (weak)