a. Also 7 erron. -itious. [ad. F. judicieux, -euse (Montaigne, 16th c.) = It. giudizioso, f. L. jūdici-um judgment: see -OUS.]
1. Of persons (or their faculties, etc.): Having or exercising sound judgment; discreet, wise, sensible. a. in relation to intellectual matters: Forming correct opinions or notions; sound in discernment; wisely critical.
1598. Florio, Giudicioso, iudicious, learned, wise, discreet.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 29. Now this ouer-done … though it make the vnskilfull laugh, cannot but make the Iudicious greeue.
1626. Jackson, Creed, VIII. xxii. § 2. It hath beene long agoe observed by the learned and judicious Hooker.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. Introd. 4. Thus also Judicious Chillingworth.
1685. Boyle, Enq. Notion Nat., iv. 95. The famousest and judiciousest of the ancienter Rabbins.
1724. A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., 42. One of the most Judicious of Interpreters, the great Grotius.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages, ix. I. (1819), III. 305. There were men who made the age famous, grave lawyers, judicious historians, wise philosophers.
b. in relation to practical matters: Wise in adapting means to ends; capable and careful in action; prudent. (Now the more frequent use.)
1600. E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 82. Being accounted, (as he was indeed) confident, iudicious, and diligent, although of no great experience in matters of waight.
1605. Shaks., Macb., IV. ii. 16. His is Noble, Iudicious, and best knowes The fits o’th’Season.
1658. W. Sanderson, Graphice, 20. To give honour to this Art of Painting many worthy Gentlemen … are become Iuditious practitioners herein.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Praise Pov., Wks. 1730, I. 92. A judicious pilot.
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, vi. No judicious commander allows either flags of truce or neutrals to remain in his camp longer than is prudent.
2. Of action, thought, etc.: Proceeding from or showing sound judgment; marked by discretion, wisdom, or good sense. a. in relation to intellectual matters.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., Prol. That … We might waigh massy in judicious scale.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. III. xv. (1651), 137. I would all … would read those judicious Tracts of Sr Henry Spelman.
1781. Cowper, Conversat., 235. A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct.
1861. Geo. Eliot, Silas M., xi. As she concluded this judicious remark, she turned to the Miss Gunns.
b. in relation to practical matters. (Now the more frequent use.)
1600. E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 201. This retraite … yet was … iudicious, the place being strong by nature.
1695. Temple, Introd. Hist. Eng., 279. To surmount all Dangers … by brave Actions and judicious Councils.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F. (1869), I. xix. 530. A very judicious plan of operations was adopted.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Vanderput & S., vi. 95. Selling again the judicious purchases they were enabled to make.
1853. Sir H. Douglas, Milit. Bridges, 143. A splendid and very instructive example of what may be effected by judicious combinations and arrangements.
† 3. = JUDICIAL A. 1. Obs.
(But in the two Shaks. quots. the actual sense is doubtful. Judicial does not occur in Shaks.)
1605. Shaks., Lear, III. iv. 76. Iudicious punishment, ’twas this flesh begot Those Pelicane Daughters. Ibid. (1607), Cor., V. vi. 128. His last offences to vs Shall haue Iudicious hearing.
1611. Coryat, Crudities, 279. Their courts of justice, their judicious proceedings.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 178. To proceede against him by a judicious way.
