See Also: wile(1)(dictionary)
wile(2)(dictionary)

wile(1) (iou)



wile noun. Now usu. in pl. ME.
[Perh. from unrecorded Old Norse noun whence vel craft, artifice rel. to vela defraud.]
A crafty, cunning, or deceitful trick; a stratagem, a ruse. Formerly also, a piece of deception, a delusion. ME.
Guardian Now..people are wise to the wiles of the credit card companies.
b. A subtle or skilful device or scheme; a clever or resourceful procedure. obsolete exc. as passing into prec. ME.
c. An amorous or playful trick; an enticing or charming ploy. L16.
B. Trapido They used their considerable girlish wiles to draw him out.
d. spec. A cunning trick of a hare to escape its hunters. L17.
Deceit, deceitfulness; cunning, trickery, guile. Now rare. LME.
Lytton This Godwin is a man of treachery and wile.
Any of various mechanical devices; spec. (Scot.) a device for twisting straw ropes. L17.
wilely adjective wily M16-L18.