dictionary definitions for "beguile"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Beguile \Be*guile"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beguiled; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Beguiling.]
     1. To delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or
        impose on, as by a false statement; to lure.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. --Gen. iii.
                                                    13.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To elude, or evade by craft; to foil. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve
        the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Ballads . . . to beguile his incessant wayfaring.
                                                    --W. Irving.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To delude; deceive; cheat; insnare; mislead; amuse;
          divert; entertain.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  beguile
      v 1: influence by slyness [syn: juggle, beguile, hoodwink]
      2: attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's
         hearts" [syn: capture, enamour, trance, catch,
         becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm,
         fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchant]


online dictionary by shmop.net