sage

¹

[seyj]

noun

1. a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom.

   Synonyms: philosopher
   Antonyms: fool

2. someone venerated for the possession of wisdom, judgment, and experience.

adjective

sager, sagest 

1. wise, judicious, or prudent.

   sage advice.

   Synonyms: sagacious

sage

²

[seyj]

noun

1. any plant or shrub belonging to the genus Salvia, of the mint family.

2. an herb, Salvia officinalis, whose grayish-green leaves are used medicinally and in cooking.

3. the leaves of the medicinal and culinary herb Salvia officinalis.

4. sagebrush.

Sage

³

[seyj]

noun

1. Russell, 1816–1906, U.S. financier.

sage

¹

/ seɪdʒ /

noun

1. a man revered for his profound wisdom

adjective

1. profoundly wise or prudent

2. obsolete,  solemn

sage

²

/ seɪdʒ /

noun

1. a perennial Mediterranean plant, Salvia officinalis, having grey-green leaves and purple, blue, or white flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. the leaves of this plant, used in cooking for flavouring

3. short for sagebrush

Other Word Forms

• sagely adverb
• sageness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sage¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin sapius (unattested), from Latin sap(ere) “to taste, have taste, smell, smell of; to have sense, discern, know, be wise” + -idus; sapient, -id ⁴

Origin of sage²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English sa ( u ) ge, from Middle French sau ( l ) ge, from Latin salvia, derivative of salvus safe (so named from its supposed healing powers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sage¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin sapere to be sensible; see _sapient

Origin of sage²

C14: from Old French saulge, from Latin salvia, from salvus safe, in good health (from the curative properties attributed to the plant)

Example Sentences

F&F’s tender, pillowy pies come in variations like hot sausage and brown-butter sage, and a clam pizza with fresh lemon and red chile flakes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s then seasoned with sage, nutmeg, and thyme — classic fall flavors — and poured on top of mezzi rigatoni pasta.

Read more on Salon

Burnt sage filled the air at one intersection, courtesy of a Danza Azteca group, while attendees — some in traditional embroidered dresses and shirts — relished the cumbia song blasting from a nearby radio.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The character already got his much-deserved happily ever after and now shows up to dole out sage advice and support for the family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Initially they thought they would focus on native succulents and cactus for their yard until they began noticing white sage, buckwheats and sagebrush when they went running in the Laguna Hills and Santa Ana Mountains.

Read more on Los Angeles Times