beguile

== English == === Alternative forms === begyle [from the Middle English period through the 16th century], bigyle, bi-gyle [Middle English] === Etymology === From Middle English begilen, begylen; equivalent to be- +‎ guile. Compare Middle Dutch begilen (“to beguile”). Doublet of bewile. === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -aɪl IPA(key): /bɪˈɡaɪl/ === Verb === beguile (third-person singular simple present beguiles, present participle beguiling, simple past and past participle beguiled) (transitive) To deceive or delude (using guile). (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. (transitive) To cause (time) to seem to pass quickly, by way of pleasant diversion. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== wile ==== Translations ==== === References === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “beguile”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “beguile”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.