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. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 47. It were to be wisht their Ideas … were undisputable among the Sophies themselves in Physick.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. I. 1423/82.
| 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, Aristippus, in Poems (1652), 3. You that nothing have Like Schollars, but a Beard and Gowne, for me May passe 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.
