prudent, a.
(ˈpruːdənt)
[a. F. prudent (c 1300 in Godef. Compl.), or ad. L. prūdēns, -ēntem foreseeing (very rare), knowing, skilled, experienced, versed in a thing, sagacious, circumspect, contr. from prōvidēns provident, with weakening or entire loss of the notion of ‘foreseeing’.]
1. Of persons (rarely of inferior animals): Sagacious in adapting means to ends; careful to follow the most politic and profitable course; having or exercising sound judgement in practical affairs; circumspect, discreet, worldly-wise.
| 1382 Wyclif Luke xvi. 8 The sones of this world ben more prudent [Vulgate prudentiores] in her generacioun than the sones of liȝt. c 1386 Chaucer Doctor's T. 110 She was so prudent and so bounteuous. c 1450 Cov. Myst. xxv. 246 As a primat most preudent I present here sensyble Buschopys of the lawe with al the cyrcumstawns. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 508 Thai suld..wirk efter hir wordis, that woman wes so prudent. 1610 J. Guillim Heraldry i. v. (1660) 29 That most prudent Prince King Henry the Seventh. 1667 Milton P.L. vii. 430 So stears the prudent Crane Her annual Voiage, born on Windes. 1745 De Foe's Eng. Tradesman vi. (1841) I. 36 All rash adventurers are condemned by the prudent part of mankind. 1842 Tennyson Two Voices 415 The prudent partner of his blood..Wearing the rose of womanhood. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 74 A prudent man will avoid sinning against the stranger. |
† 2. Wise, discerning, sapient. Obs. (exc. as included in 1).
| a 1425 Wyclif's Bible Matt. xi. 25 Thou hast hid these thingis fro wijse men and ware [MS. New Coll. 67 prudent]. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 13 Be the sentence of prudent Salaman. 1526 Tindale Matt. xi. 25 Thou hast hyd these thynges from the wyse and prudent, and hast opened them vnto babes. 1549 Compl. Scot. xv. 129 The philosophour socrates, quhilk vas iugit to be the maist prudent man in the vniuersal varld. 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue Ep. Ded., Salomon the sonne of holy Dauid a prudent Kyng. |
3. Of conduct, action, etc.: Characterized by, exhibiting, or proceeding from prudence; politic, judicious. the prudent: that which is prudent.
| 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy iii. 3707 Þoruȝ her prudent medyacioun..With kyng Thoas she myȝt eschaunged be. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. v. (Percy Soc.) 22 They folowed not theyr fleshe so vycious, But ruled it by prudent governaunce. 1673 Lady's Call. ii. i. §17 'Tis prejudice enough against the prudentest advice, that it comes from their parents. 1707 Hearne Collect. 30 Sept. (O.H.S.) II. 57 'Tis the prudenter Way not to know it. 1790 Bystander 247 Then touching upon the prudent, he entreated it might remain some little time a secret. 1845 S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref. II. iii. i. 29 His..prudent and enlightened policy had ever been crowned with ultimate success. 1871 Freeman Norm. Conq. IV. xviii. 127 There were those to whom William found it prudent to be gentle. |