sage (2) — ODE

sage2 /seɪdʒ

▸ noun (especially in ancient history or legend) a profoundly wise man:

the sayings of the numerous venerable sages

I'm not much of a sage, I'm afraid

I asked a sage on the news desk ironic.

▸ adjective profoundly wise:

they nodded in agreement with these sage remarks.

– DERIVATIVES

sageness noun

– ORIGIN Middle English (as an adjective): from Old French, from Latin sapere ‘be wise’.