-wise
a suffixal use of wise2. in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.:
counterclockwise; edgewise; marketwise; timewise.
compare -ways.
usage note
-wise
combining form
also -ways. indicating direction or manner clockwise, likewise
with reference to profitwise, businesswise
word origin
old english -wisan; see wise²
Read Also:
- -witted
adjective (in combination) having wits or intelligence as specified slow-witted, dim-witted
- -woman
a combining form of woman: chairwoman; forewoman; spokeswoman. usage note
- -word
combining form (preceded by the and an initial letter) a euphemistic way of referring to a word by its first letter because it is considered to be in some way unmentionable by the user the c-word, meaning cancer -word combining word used in real or mock euphemisms to avoid saying a taboo or repulsive word: […]
- -worth
-worth as final element in place names, is from o.e. worþ “enclosed place, homestead.”
- -worthy
a combining form of worthy, occurring in adjectives that have the general sense “deserving of, fit for” (blameworthy; newsworthy; noteworthy; trustworthy), “capable of travel in or on” (airworthy; roadworthy; seaworthy), as specified by the first word of the compound.