▪ I. sophy2
(ˈsɒfɪ)
Also 5–6 sophie.
[In sense 1 ad. L. sophia sophia1. In sense 2 from the second element in philosophy, theosophy, etc.]
† 1. Wisdom, knowledge. Obs.
| c 1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Kath. v. 1020 It had ben beter to haue kepte the same sophie Whiche þat youre maysteris lerned you first in scole! 1557 N. Grimalde in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 121 Coom fight with mee,..that, in my shield, The seuenfold sophie of Minerue contein. 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 10 Who knoweth not the difference betweene..semblance, and assurance; docosophy, and sophy? |
2. One or other of the various sciences, departments of study, etc.
| a 1843 Southey Comm.-pl. Bk. (1851) IV. 578 The various sophy's—cosmosophy, kerdosophy. 1869 Contemp. Rev. XI. 456 Moyen..would sometimes utter himself in their particular sophy. |
▪ II. † ˈsophy3 Obs.
[Orig. in pl. sophies, f. L. sophi sophi.]
A wise or learned man; a sage.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay Pref. (1592) p. viii, Some small sparkes of..wisdome,..the which they haue afterward taught vnto others, and for so doing haue bene called Sophies and Philosophers. 1596 H. Clapham Briefe Bible ii. 127 These Sophies finde with the Babe Iesus, onely Marie. 1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. i. lxxxii, To see their King, the Kingly Sophies come. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 47 It were to be wisht their Ideas..were undisputable among the Sophies themselves in Physick. 1678 Butler Hud. iii. i. 1423 Sir, (quoth the Voice) y' are no such Sophy As you would have the World judge of ye. |
b. With the epithet grand (after Sophy1).
| a 1635 Randolph Poems (1652) 3 You that nothing have Like Schollars but a Beard and Gowne, for me May pass for good grand Sophies. 1638 Sanderson Serm. (1681) II. 127 Whereof Plato and Aristotle and all the other grand sophies among them were ignorant. 1688 W. Bates Harmony Div. Attrib. (ed. 3) v. 96 The grand Sophies of the World esteemed it absurd and unreasonable [etc.]. |
c. In disparaging or sarcastic use.
| 1649 Col. le Strange in Plume MSS. (Maldon, Essex), And like those sophies who would drown a fish I am condemn'd to suffer what I wish. |