sagely

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in a wise, judicious, or knowingly thoughtful manner

   Mrs. Hall nodded sagely before offering her opinion on the stranger.

2. 2
   adj

   resembling or characteristic of a sage, especially in wisdom or dignity

   The professor gave a sagely warning about drawing conclusions too quickly.

From Middle English sagely and sagilly, formed from sage ("wise") + -ly. The adjective has the sense "like a sage," while the much more common adverb means "in a wise or knowingly thoughtful manner."

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