Dictionary

wise woman en · NOUN

Etymology

wise + woman

Meanings

1. A woman who is a sage or seer; a witch (usually benevolent); a traditional female herbalist or midwife.
   • Her sharp immovable eyes with irregular pupils, her projecting chin, her broad nose, and her yellow complexion gave Bertha's face a strange, Oriental, almost witchlike appearance; and this was not to be wondered at, because she was considered the first wise woman for a good many miles around. 1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 120:
   • We meet Dark Mhairi, the wise woman of the village, with her ancient knowledge of healing herbs. 2011, Michael Gardiner, Scottish Literature and Postcolonial Literature, page 131:
   • A common dread was the evil eye, and the chief charm against it was in the form of a knotted cord woven by a "wise woman". 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 26:

Forms

Relateds

cunning woman

Translations (5)

mk ба́бица (traditional female herbalist or midwife) · ru знаха́рка (traditional female herbalist or midwife) · mk ба́ба (traditional female herbalist or midwife) · mk вра́чка (traditional female herbalist or midwife) · ru зна́харка (traditional female herbalist or midwife)