guile

Etymology 1

From Middle English gile, from Anglo-Norman gile, from Old French guile (“deception”), from Frankish *wigila (“ruse”), from Proto-Germanic *wīlą, from Proto-Indo-European *wey- (“to turn, bend”). Cognate via Proto-Germanic with wile.

noun

1. (uncountable) Astuteness often marked by a certain sense of cunning or artful deception.
   It was a result that owed a lot to a moment of guile from Ramires but more to a display of guts from the Brazilian and his team-mates after Terry's needless dismissal eight minutes before half-time for driving a knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez off the ball. April 24, 2012, Phil Dawkes, “Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport
   Estonia were struggling to get to grips with the game while Ireland were showing a composure and guile that demonstrated their experience in play-off ties. November 11, 2011, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport
2. Deceptiveness, deceit, fraud, duplicity, dishonesty.

verb

1. To deceive, beguile, bewile.

Etymology 2

Variant forms.

noun

1. Obsolete form of gold.
2. Alternative form of gyle