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. 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. Grimald, 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.
