释义 |
sage I. \ˈsāj\ adjective (-er/-est) Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, have sense, be wise; akin to Old English sefa mind, Old Saxon seƀo mind, afsebbian to perceive, Old High German antseffen, intseffen to notice, Oscan sipus knowing, Armenian ham juice, taste; basic meaning: to taste 1. a. : eminent in wisdom : wise through reflection and experience : prudent and philosophic in judgment and views < the wise reasoning of a certain sage magistrate — George Berkeley > b. archaic : grave, solemn < among the sage and somber figures that would put his unsophisticated cheerfulness to shame — Nathaniel Hawthorne > 2. : proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment < providing sage guidance to nonponderous writing — Saturday Review > Synonyms: see wise II. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from sage, adjective 1. : one (as a profound philosopher or eminently wise counselor) distinguished for wisdom < this excellent book considers six sages … whose vision springs from a vivid conception of the principles governing the workings of the world — Times Literary Supplement > 2. : a mature or venerable man rich in experience and sound in judgment < one of the ancient sages of our law — B.N.Cardozo > 3. often capitalized, Confucianism : a truly natural man who is virtuous and wise and has attained the highest perfection of man III. noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English sauge, sage, from Middle French saulge, sauge, from Latin salvia, from salvus safe, whole, healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe 1. a. : a half shrubby mint (Salvia officinalis) with grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent; broadly : a plant of the genus Salvia — compare blue sage, clary, scarlet sage b. (1) : sagebrush (2) : the sagebrush regions of the western U.S. < sage dog > < sage riders > c. : any of several plants felt to resemble the true sage — usually used in combination; see bethlehem sage, jerusalem sage 2. : sage green |