wiseacre

n. [ OD. wijssegger or G. weissager a foreteller, prophet, from weissagen to foretell, to prophesy, OHG. wīssag&unr_;n, corrupted (as if compounded of the words for wise and say) fr. wīzzag&unr_;n, fr. wīzzag&unr_; a prophet, akin to AS. wītiga, wītga, from the root of E. wit. See Wit, v. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A learned or wise man. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Pythagoras learned much . . . becoming a mighty wiseacre. Leland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who makes undue pretensions to wisdom; a would-be-wise person; hence, in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce. [ 1913 Webster ]