Pronunciation: [bɪɡˈa͡ɪə͡lmənt] (IPA) 
The word "beguilement" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end, which is common in English when it follows a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern. The "g" in "beguilement" is pronounced as a "j" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /dʒ/. The "u" is pronounced as an "oo" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /u/. The stress in the word falls on the second syllable, giving it the pronunciation of /bɪˈɡaɪlmənt/.
Beguilement refers to the act or process of captivating or deceiving someone by using charm, trickery, or flattery in order to manipulate or divert their attention or emotions. It is the skillful persuasion or inducement employed to mislead, cheat, or gain an advantage over someone else.
The term embodies the notion of enticement or seduction, as it involves the deliberate use of artifice or cunning to charm or enchant others, often leading them astray from the truth or their original intentions. Beguilement can take various forms, ranging from subtle manipulation to more overt tactics intended to captivate and delude individuals. It relies on the exploitation of human vulnerabilities, whether through physical attractiveness, persuasive rhetoric, or psychological tactics.
Beguilement can be employed for numerous purposes, both positive and negative. In more positive contexts, it may be utilized as a means of fostering pleasant or entertaining experiences, such as in the world of entertainment, where illusions and captivating performances are employed to delight audiences. On the other hand, in negative contexts, beguilement may involve deliberate deceit, defrauding, or luring individuals into harmful or disadvantageous situations.
Overall, beguilement involves the intentional use of charm, deception, or seduction with the aim of influencing, swaying, or diverting others for personal gain. It hinges on the subtle manipulation of emotions, thoughts, or perceptions, often blurring the line between truth and falsehood in order to achieve the desired outcome.
Act of deceiving.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "beguilement" can be broken down into two parts: "beguile" and "-ment".
The term "beguile" originated in Middle English, and it can be traced back to the Latin word "beguīlāre". In Latin, "beguīlāre" means "to deceive" or "to cheat". It is derived from the combination of two words: "be-", which intensifies the meaning, and "guīlāre", meaning "to deceive".
The suffix "-ment" comes from Old French and Latin, and it denotes the result or action of a verb. It is commonly used to form nouns. In this case, "-ment" turns the verb "beguile" into the noun "beguilement", referring to the act or state of being beguiled or deceived.
