Inveigle

Pronunciation ,

• UK IPA: /ɪnˈveɪ.É¡É™l/, /ɪnˈviː.É¡É™l/
• Rhymes: -eɪɡəl, -iːɡəl

Origin

• Early corruption of French aveugler ("to blind, to delude"), from aveugle ("blind"), from the Old French avugle ("without eyes"), from Latin ab + oculus ("eye"). The in- might be from other a-/en- variations found in Middle English, which was then latinised into in-.

Full definition of inveigle

Verb

1. (transitive) to convert, convince or win over with flattery or wiles
• 1835, w, s:The Partisan, Say he's been misguided by the rebels, and how they've inveigled him, till he's turned rebel himself; and how he's now out with Marion's men, in Major Singleton's squad.
2. (transitive) to obtain through guile or cunning

Usage notes

Sometimes confused with inveigh.