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beguile

 - 2 dictionary results

be⋅guile

  [bi-gahyl]
Use beguile in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -guiled, -guil⋅ing.
1. to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.
2. to take away from by cheating or deceiving (usually fol. by of): to be beguiled of money.
3. to charm or divert: a multitude of attractions to beguile the tourist.
4. to pass (time) pleasantly: beguiling the long afternoon with a good book.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME bigilen. See be-, guile

Related forms:
be⋅guile⋅ment, noun
be⋅guil⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. deceive, cheat. 3. amuse, entertain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To beguile
be·guile   (bĭ-gīl')   
tr.v.   be·guiled, be·guil·ing, be·guiles

  1. To deceive by guile; delude. See Synonyms at deceive.

  2. To take away from by or as if by guile; cheat: a disease that has beguiled me of strength.

  3. To distract the attention of; divert: "to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming" (Abraham Lincoln).

  4. To pass (time) pleasantly.

  5. To amuse or charm; delight. See Synonyms at charm.


[Middle English bigilen : bi-, be- + gilen, to deceive; see guile.]
be·guile'ment n., be·guil'er n., be·guil'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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