wile

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a clever trick or persuasive stratagem intended to deceive or manipulate someone, often used in the plural

   The impostor used charm and wile to gain the household's trust.

2. 2
   verb

   to entice, lure, or persuade someone by charm or cunning

   The guide could wile even cautious travelers into taking the longer route.

3. 3
   verb

   to pass time pleasantly or idly, especially in the phrase wile away

   They would wile away the winter evenings with cards and stories.

From late Old English wil ("deceitful stratagem"), perhaps influenced by Old North French wile or a Scandinavian cognate such as Old Norse vel ("craft or fraud"). Wile and guile are historical doublets shaped by different French dialects.

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