wile
UK: waɪl | US: waɪl
n. a clever trick or stratagem intended to deceive or ensnare
vt. to lure or entice by cunning means
The word "wile" traces back to Old English wīl, meaning "trick" or "deceit," and is related to Old Norse vél (craft, artifice). It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic wīlą, reflecting a long-standing association with cunning and deception. Over time, "wile" evolved to specifically denote sly or artful strategies, often with a negative connotation. Unlike many modern English words, "wile" remains monomorphic, preserving its original form without clear prefix/root/suffix divisions.
The fox used its wiles to steal the eggs from the henhouse.
She employed every wile to convince him to stay.
His charm was merely a wile to gain their trust.
The detective saw through the criminal’s wiles.
Legends speak of sirens whose wiles lured sailors to their doom.