beguile
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- begyle [from the Middle English period through the 16th century]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English begilen, begylen, equivalent to be- + guile. Compare Middle Dutch beghijlen (“to beguile”). See also bewile.
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
beguile (third-person singular simple present beguiles, present participle beguiling, simple past and past participle beguiled)
- (transitive) To deceive or delude (using guile).
- a. 1608, William Shakespeare, King Lear, II, II, 102.
- I know, sir, I am no flatterer : he that beguiled you, in a plain accent, was a plain knave.
- a. 1608, William Shakespeare, King Lear, II, II, 102.
- (transitive) To charm, delight or captivate.
- 1864 November 21, Abraham Lincoln (signed) or John Hay, letter to Mrs. Bixby in Boston
- I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming.
- 1864 November 21, Abraham Lincoln (signed) or John Hay, letter to Mrs. Bixby in Boston
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to deceive or delude (using guile)
charm, delight
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References[edit]
- beguile in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- beguile in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
