Definition of "guile"

guile¹

/ɡaɪl/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural guiles
1. (uncountable) Astuteness often marked by a certain sense of cunning or artful deception.
  Quotations
  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.
  2012 April 24, 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.
  2011 November 11, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport‎
2. Deceptiveness, deceit, fraud, duplicity, dishonesty.
  Quotations
  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], John 1:47
verb
third-person singular simple present guiles, present participle guiling, simple past and past participle guiled
1. To deceive, beguile, bewile.
  Quotations
  Who means no guile, be guiled soonest shall
  1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie

guile²

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