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

Apparently, all three had assumed that the wise old “flounder” was alive and well and could be found strolling about the school, giving sage advice.

Read more on Literature

Nuthatches, warblers, sparrows, and the occasional wood dove—perfectly acceptable birds all, to be sure, but where were the sage and mysterious owls?

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Such was the case with this pasta sauce packed with autumnal flavors like squash, pumpkin, maple syrup, apple and sage.

Read more on Salon

Burgundy wine, beef demi-glace, sage and thyme complement the sweetness of the onions in this rich gravy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For a more autumnal spin, I tuck in about ½ cup of cubed, softened butternut squash, a sprinkle of brown sugar, cubes of manchego, and a few torn sage leaves.

Read more on Salon