sage

comparative sager · superlative sagest

1. Wise.

   CHAPTER VII. In which Jack makes some very sage reflections, and comes to a very unwise decision.

   1836, [Frederick Marryat], “In which Jack makes some very sage reflections, and comes to a very unwise decision”, in Mr. Midshipman Easy […], volume I, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, page 77

   2 more examples

   Harry the fift is crownd, vp vanitie, / Downe royall ſtate, all you ſage counſailers, hence, / And to the Engliſh Court aſſemble now / From euery region, apes of idleneſſe: […]

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], signature I, recto

   Howbeit the Caledonians with great preparation, and by rumor, as of things unknown much greater, taking Armes, and of thir own accord begining Warr by the aſſault of ſundry Caſtles, ſent back ſome of thir fear to the Romans themſelves: and there were of the Commanders, who cloaking thir fear under ſhew of ſage advice, counſel’d the General to retreat back on this ſide Bodotria.

   1670, John Milton, “The Second Book”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC, page 72

   Synonyms: wise

2. obsoleteGrave; serious; solemn.

   Synonyms: serious

plural sages

1. A very wise person or spiritual teacher; someone of gravity and wisdom, especially, a teacher venerable for years, and of sound judgment and prudence; a grave or stoic philosopher.

   All sages and physicians agree in saying that the ills which afflict man originate with the abuse of coition.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 91

   1 more example

   ’Tis certain, that, while we aſpire to the magnanimous Firmneſs of the philoſophic Sage, and endeavour to confine our Pleaſures altogether within our own Minds, we may, at laſt, render our Philoſophy, like that of Epictetus and other Stoics, only a more refin’d Syſtem of Selfiſhneſs, and reaſon ourſelves out of all Virtue, as well as ſocial Enjoyment.

   1748, [David Hume], “Essay V. Sceptical Solution of these Doubts.”, in Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, part I, page 69

plural sages

1. uncountableusuallyThe plant Salvia officinalis, native to the Mediterranean region, widely grown as a herb and as an ornamental garden plant.
2. uncountableusuallyThe dried leaves of Salvia officinalis, used as a herb in cooking.
3. uncountableusuallyAny plant in the genus Salvia.

   Synonyms: salvia

4. uncountableusuallyAny of a number of plants such as sagebrush considered to be similar to Salvia officinalis, mostly because they are small shrubs and have gray foliage or are aromatic.
5. uncountableusuallyThe foliage of sagebrush or similar plants.

   He had made a bed of sage, had built a sweat lodge and purified himself in it.

   1951, Dorothy M. Johnson, Warrior's Exile; in Indian Country, London: Corgi, 1961, page 65

1. Internet4chan slangWord used in the email field of imageboards to prevent a bump of the post. Used as an option rather than a word in some imageboard software.

   sage in all fields

present singular third person sages · participle present saging · participle past saged · past saged

1. Internet4chan slangThe act of using the word or option sage in the email field or a checkbox of an imageboard when posting a reply.

   Reminder to sage and report.

plural Sages

1. countableuncountableA surname transferred from the nickname.
2. countableuncountableA male given name from English.

   She wanted to give the child a unique, meaningful name; among those she and Linda liked, she said, were Laurel and Lavender. Or if it was a boy, perhaps Sage . “Why not Spinach or Cabbage?” Brian had scoffed.

   1974, Alison Lurie, The War Between the Tates: A Novel, Open Road Media, published 2012, →ISBN

3. countableuncountableA female given name from English.
4. countableuncountableWiccaOne of the triune gods of the Horned God in Wicca, representing a man, older than a middle-aged Father and boyish Master
5. A place name:
   1. countableuncountableA neighbourhood along Trout Lake Road, city of North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
   2. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Izard County, Arkansas, United States.
   3. countableuncountableA census-designated place in Riverside County, California, United States.
   4. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Burnet County, Texas, United States.
   5. countableuncountableA ghost town in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States.