sage

¹sage

adjective \ˈsāj\

sag·ersag·est

Definition of SAGE

1

a : wise through reflection and experience

b archaic : grave, solemn

2

: proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment <sage advice>

— sage·ly adverb

— sage·ness noun

Examples of SAGE

1. <a sage suggestion that she think long and hard before deciding to marry at such a young age>

Origin of SAGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, be wise; akin to Oscan sipus knowing, Old Saxon ansebbian to perceive

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SAGE

Synonyms

discerning, insightful, perceptive, prudent, sagacious, wise, sapient

Antonyms

unperceptive, unwise

Related Words

acute, penetrating, percipient, perspicacious; experienced; discriminating, discriminative; brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, keen, nimble, quick, quick-witted, smart; cerebral, erudite, knowledgeable, learned, literate, scholarly; astute, clearheaded, piercing, sharp, shrewd; contemplative, reflective, thoughtful

Near Antonyms

dense, dull, obtuse, purblind, woodenheaded; brainless, dumb, feebleminded, foolish, idiotic (also idiotical), imbecile (or imbecilic), knuckleheaded, moronic, silly, simple, slow, slow-witted, stupid, thoughtless, unintelligent, witless; undiscriminating

See Synonym Discussion at wise

Rhymes with SAGE

age, cage, gage, Gage, gauge, mage, page, rage, stage, swage, wage

²sage

noun

Definition of SAGE

1

: one (as a profound philosopher) distinguished for wisdom

2

: a mature or venerable man of sound judgment

First Known Use of SAGE

14th century

³sage

noun

Definition of SAGE

1

a : a European perennial mint (Salvia officinalis) with grayish-green aromatic leaves used especially in flavoring meats; broadly : salvia

b : the fresh or dried leaves of sage

2

: sagebrush

3

: a light grayish green

Illustration of SAGE

Origin of SAGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French sage, salge, from Latin salvia, from salvus healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Sage

biographical name \ˈsāj\

Definition of SAGE

Russell 1816–1906 Am. financier

sage

noun \ˈsāj\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SAGE

: a perennial mint of the genus Salvia (S. officinalis) having grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent; broadly : any plant of the genus Salvia

sage

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)—Ingmar Holmasen

Aromatic perennial herb (Salvia officinalis) of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean. Its leaves are used fresh or dried as a flavouring in many foods. The stems, 2 ft (60 cm) tall, have rough or wrinkled, downy, gray-green or whitish green oval leaves. The flowers may be purple, pink, white, or red. Since the Middle Ages, sage tea has been brewed as a spring tonic and a stimulant believed to strengthen the memory and promote wisdom. See also salvia.