guile

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Translations 1.4.2 Derived terms 1.4.3 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old French, from Frankish wigila (“‘ruse’”) ( > French guilleret (“‘careless and lively’”)), or (Verification for this etymology is sought): from an unattested Old Norse word which was probably the source also of wile.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /gaɪl/

  Rhymes: -aɪl

[edit] Noun

guile (countable and uncountable; plural guiles)

1. (uncountable) Astuteness often marked by a certain sense of cunning or artful deception.
2. deceptiveness, deceit, fraud, duplicity, dishonesty
   • 'The Bible - King James Version: John 1:47

     Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to guile (third-person singular simple present guiles, present participle guiling, simple past and past participle guiled)

1. to deceive, to beguile

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• guileful
• guileless

[edit] Related terms

• wile