Word of the Day: Sage

sage sage / sāj   adjective 1. wise or prudent A sage thing is timely silence, and better than any speech. Plutarch, 49 – 119   2. (archaic) serious; solemn In sage and silent companionship of two, they went flying, noiseless, along the quiet lanes in search of a meal. From “Man and Wife” by Wilkie Collins, 1824 – 1889   3. having a gray-green color Miss Waterford, torn between the aestheticism of her early youth, when she used to go to parties in sage green, holding a daffodil, and the flippancy of her maturer years, which tended to high heels and Paris frocks, wore a new hat. From “Moon and Sixpence” by W. Somerset Maugham, 1874 – 1965   noun 1. a plant of the mint family belonging to the genus Salvia, with grayish-green leaves used as a seasoning in cooking You need just three things to grow garden sage – fresh air, good soil drainage and plenty of sunshine. www.thegardeningcook.com/sage-plant-care, accessed August 30, 2022   2. the leaves of S. officinalis, used as an herb in cooking or for medicinal purposes Sage has a pronounced herbal flavor that is earthy, slightly peppery taste with hints of mint, eucalyptus, and lemon.  “How to Cook With Sage: 11 Culinary Uses for Sage”, ‘MasterClass’, www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-sage-11-culinary-uses-for-sage, August 13, 2021   3. sagebrush The warm sun awoke the wild fragrance of sage and mountain soil. From “Overland Red” by Henry Herbert Knibbs, 1874 – 1945   4. a gray-green color; the color of sage leaves Any dun colored house would look better if painted pineapple, cream, ochre, or even a smart sage. Frances Mayes, 1940 –   5. a wise person; a person known for sound judgement The sage speaks of what he sees; the fool, of what he hears. Turkish proverb