Wile
/waɪl/noun
A cunning or deceitful trick or strategy.
Did you know?The word ‘wile’ is linked to ancient concepts of cunning, often associated with trickster figures in folklore who use their wits to manipulate reality.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
wila
“Crafty or cunning behavior.”
Middle English
Middle English
wile
“A trick or cunning device, often with a connotation of deceit.”
14th Century
Middle English
wile
“A stratagem or cunning scheme, frequently in contexts of deceit.”
Modern English
English
wile
“A term for clever tricks or deceptions, maintaining its association with cunning.”