worldwisdom

English

Etymology

From Middle English *worldwisdom, (found only as worldes wisdom (literally “world's wisdom”)), from Old English woruldwīsdōm (“worldly wisdom, science”), equivalent to world +‎ wisdom.

Noun

worldwisdom (uncountable)

1. Wisdom, knowledge, or understanding about the world; experience; philosophy.
   • 1996, R. G. Cox, Thomas Hardy: the critical heritage:

     In the Wessex labourer of today, who ploughs the field, walks the lonely heath, sits in his village inn and talks the Old Worldwisdom, he sees the same man who was there a hundred, five hundred, a thousand years ago.

   • 2006, Aelfric (Abbot of Eynsham.), Gabriella Corona, Saint Amphilochius (Bishop of Iconium), Ælfric's Life of Saint Basil the Great: background and context:

     Ælfric's words in these lives and his apologetic remarks on youngsters having to earn 'worldwisdom' are powerfully reminiscent of Augpstine's De doctrina Christiana: […]

   • 2011, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William H. Gilman, Charles Johnson, Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson:

     After a few months, I come again to the record & it seems a mere bit of glistening tin or tinsel, and no such worldwisdom.

Related terms

• worldwise