Sage | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Sāġe, n.

noun

n. [Fr. sauge, Pg. salva, Pr., Sp., It., & Lat. salvia, from Lat. salvus, saved, salvare, to save; A-S. salwige, H. Ger. salbei, salwei, L. Ger. selwe.] (Bot.) A labiate plant of several species of the genus Salvia, but especially S. officinalis.

☞ Sage is mostly employed in cookery as a condiment, but is also used in medicine as a diaphoretic. The popular name sage, accompanied with some distinguishing epithet, is sometimes applied to all the species of the genus Salvia, a great number of which are recognized by botanists.

Sā'ge, a.

adjective

a. [compar. SAGER; superl. SAGEST.] [Fr. sage, O. Fr. saige, saive, Pr. satge, sabi, Sp. & Pg. sabio, It. saggio, Lat. as if sapius, sabius, savius, from sapere, to be wise, nesapius, unwise.]

Sense 1. Having nice discernment and powers of judging; prudent; grave.

All you sage counselors, hence! Shak.

Sense 2. Proceeding from wisdom; well judged; well adapted to the purpose.

There were of the commanders, who, cloaking their fear under show of sage advice, counseled the general to retire. Milton.

Sense 3. Grave; serious; solemn. [Rare.] “Sage and solemn times.” Milton.

Synonyms— Wise; sagacious; sapient; grave; prudent; judicious.

Sā'ge, n.

noun

n. A wise man; a man of gravity and wisdom; especially, a man venerable for years, and known as a man of sound judgment and prudence; a grave philosopher.

At his birth a star proclaims him come, And guides the Eastern sages. Milton.