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Definition of beguile


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be·guile  audio  (b-gl) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
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.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English bigilen : bi-, be- + gilen, to deceive ; see guile

OTHER FORMS:
be·guilement (Noun), be·guiler (Noun), be·guiling·ly (Adverb)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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