guile
UK: ɡaɪl | US: ɡaɪl
n. deceitful cunning or cleverness; craftiness.
The word "guile" traces back to Old French guile, meaning "trickery" or "deceit," which itself derives from the Frankish wigila (a ruse or stratagem). It entered Middle English in the 12th century, retaining its core sense of sly intelligence used to manipulate others. The term reflects a historical association between cleverness and moral ambiguity, often linked to survival or tactical advantage in medieval contexts.
The fox escaped the hunters through sheer guile.
She used guile to win the negotiation without revealing her true intentions.
His charm masked a heart full of guile.
Politicians are often accused of employing guile to sway public opinion.
The thief relied on guile rather than force to steal the artifact.