Wise"a*cre (?), n. [OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a foreteller, prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy, OHG. wīssag&?;n, corrupted (as if compounded of the words for wise and say) fr. wīzzag&?;n, fr. wīzzag&?; a prophet, akin to AS. wītiga, wītga, from the root of E. wit. See Wit, v.]

1. A learned or wise man. [Obs.]

Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty wiseacre.

2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise person; hence, in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce.

Wise"a*cre (?), n. [OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a foreteller, prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy, OHG. wīssag&?;n, corrupted (as if compounded of the words for wise and say) fr. wīzzag&?;n, fr. wīzzag&?; a prophet, akin to AS. wītiga, wītga, from the root of E. wit. See Wit, v.]

1. A learned or wise man. [Obs.]

Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty wiseacre.

2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise person; hence, in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce.

• one who feigns knowledge or cleverness; an insolent upstart