English

Suffix

-wise

1. in the direction or orientation of

   The gaoler slowly turned the key clockwise.

2. in the manner of
3. in the matter of; with regard to

   This morning is promising weather-wise.

Derived terms

• imagewise
• objectwise
• spacewise

Usage notes

• The suffix -wise is particularly productive in Indian English. See for example classwise, datewise, subjectwise.

Related terms

• -way, -ways

Old English

Etymology

From wīse ‎(“manner, way, condition, direction”).

Suffix

-wīse f

1. (noun suffix) state of, manner of, condition; direction

   rihtwīse "righteousness, justice", from riht "just, right"

   cnihtwīse "boyishness", from cniht "boy, youth"

   cynewīse "commonwealth, state", from cyne "public, nation, kindred"

   lēoþwīse "poetry, verse", from lēoþ "song, tune, poem"

   bēagwīse "sphere, circular form", from bēag "ring, hoop, circle"

2. (noun suffix) the custom or fashion of

   mynsterwīse "monastic custom", from mynster "minister"

   fierdwīse, fyrdwīse "military style", from fierd, fyrd "militia"

3. (adverbial suffix) in the manner or fashion of; in the direction of

   hysewīse "like a young man", from hyse "son, youth"

Declension