different between wisdom vs circumspection

English

Alternative forms

• wisedome (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English wisdom, from Old English w?sd?m (“wisdom”), from Proto-Germanic *w?sad?maz (“wisdom”), corresponding to wise +? -dom or wise +? doom (“judgement”). Cognate with Scots wisdom, wysdom (“wisdom”), West Frisian wiisdom (“wisdom”), Dutch wijsdom (“wisdom”), German Weistum (“legal sentence”), Danish/Norwegian/Swedish visdom (“wisdom”), Icelandic vísdómur (“wisdom”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) enPR: w?z?d?m, IPA^(key): /?w?zd?m/
• Hyphenation: wis?dom

Noun

wisdom (countable and uncountable, plural wisdoms)

1. (uncountable) An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
2. (countable) A piece of wise advice.
3. The discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest good.
4. The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained.
5. The ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding.
6. (theology) The ability to know and apply spiritual truths.
   • 1652, Eugenius Philalethes, The Fame and Confe??ion of the Fraternity of…the Ro?ie Cro?s, pages 1–2 of the preface

     Wi?dom…is to a man an infinite Trea?ure, for ?he is the Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the Glory of the Almighty; ?he is the Brightne?s of Eternal Light, and an undefiled Mirror of the Maje?ty of God, and an Image of his Goodne?s; ?he teacheth us Soberne?s and Prudence, Righteou?ne?s and Strength; ?he under?tands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark ?entences; ?he foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what ?hall happen in time to come.

Synonyms

• (ability to make a decision): See Thesaurus:wisdom

Antonyms

• foolishness
• folly

Derived terms

• conventional wisdom
• pearl of wisdom
• wisdomless
• wisdom tooth

Related terms

• wise
• wisehead
• wiseness

Translations

See also

• morality

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English w?sdom. Equivalent to wys +? -dom.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?wizdo?m/

Noun

wisdom (plural wisdomes)

1. wisdom

Related terms

• unwisdom

Descendants

• English: wisdom
• Scots: wisdom, wysdom

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *w?sad?maz. Cognate with Old Frisian w?sdom, Old Saxon w?sdom, Old High German w?stuom, Old Norse vísdómr. Equivalent to w?s +? d?m.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?wi?s?do?m/, [?wi?z?do?m]

Noun

w?sd?m m

1. wisdom

Declension

Descendants

• Middle English: wisdom
  • English: wisdom

English

Etymology

From Old French circumspection, from Latin circumspectio; surface analysis circum- +? spect +? -ion, "looking [all] around" (as compared with the opposite concept, embodied as tunnel vision or blinders)

Noun

circumspection (countable and uncountable, plural circumspections)

1. Attention to all the facts and circumstances of a case; consideration of all that is pertinent.
2. Caution, watchfulness, or vigilance fueled by such awareness.

Translations

References

• circumspection in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• circumspection in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.