Thursday, March 26, 2009

Words: Beguile

beguile

[bi-gahyl]
–verb (used with object), -guiled, -guiling.
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:
beguilement, noun
beguiler, noun

Synonyms:
1. deceive, cheat. 3. amuse, entertain.