sage
sage — adjective
1. showing the sound judgment and deep understanding that come from living through
showing the sound judgment and deep understanding that come from living through many different situations over a long period of time.
The villagers sought sage advice from Grandmother Ife before the planting season began.
collocation: sage advice
Keeping extra drinking water in the car during the desert crossing was a sage decision.
collocation: sage decision
With a sage nod, the librarian agreed that the old manuscripts deserved better care.
Christopher's sage counsel on managing the budget saved the small business from closing.
None of the younger engineers shared the chief's sage understanding of the machine's limits.
用法筆記
Common before nouns such as advice, judgment, decision, counsel, and understanding. The comparative forms sager and sagest exist but are rare — most modern writers use more sage and most sage instead.
常見錯誤
sage — noun
1. a garden plant whose soft, grey-green leaves carry a strong, slightly earthy sce
a garden plant whose soft, grey-green leaves carry a strong, slightly earthy scent; they are used fresh or dried to add flavour to meat, sauces, and stuffings.
The chef rubbed fresh sage leaves over the pork loin before roasting it.
culinary use: rubbed over meat before roasting
Add a pinch of dried sage to the butter sauce for a warm, savoury flavour.
dried sage used in sauces
Luca planted sage, rosemary, and thyme in the herb bed beside the kitchen door.
The smell of sage and onion stuffing reminds Meera of winter dinners at her aunt's house.
Scatter fresh sage leaves over the roasted turkey as a simple garnish.
用法筆記
As a culinary herb, sage pairs particularly well with pork, poultry, and rich sauces. Dried sage has a stronger, more concentrated flavour than fresh — use about one teaspoon of dried leaves for every tablespoon of fresh. The leaves can also be fried briefly in butter until crisp and used as a garnish.
常見錯誤
2. a person, typically older, who is deeply respected within a community or field f
a person, typically older, who is deeply respected within a community or field for their wisdom, sound judgment, and ability to give thoughtful guidance.
The village sage, a woman known for her fairness, settled disputes between families for decades.
village sage — local authority figure
Young students travelled from distant towns to hear the sage's reflections on life and nature.
sage's reflections — spiritual/philosophical context
In many cultures, community sages are consulted before major decisions affecting everyone.
The local potters regarded Heloísa's grandmother as a sage for her mastery of traditional glazes.
The ancient sages of Greece and India wrote philosophical texts that scholars still study today.
- wise person
neutral register; suitable for everyday use
- elder
focuses on age and community respect rather than philosophical depth
- philosopher
implies formal study of ideas rather than practical life wisdom
- fool
a person who lacks good judgment or sense
用法筆記
Carries a formal or literary tone — in everyday conversation, terms like wise person or elder are far more common. Often capitalised in titles (Sage of …) and appears in translations of Eastern philosophical traditions.