guide
UK[ɡaɪd]US[ɡaɪd]
v
To show someone the way to a place, often by going with them.
v
To direct or influence a person's behavior or the development of something.
n
A person who shows the way to others, especially one employed to lead travelers or tourists.
n
A book, document, or piece of information that provides advice or instructions.
Morpheme Breakdown
guid
e
guid
lead
e
silent
Etymology
The word 'guide' entered English in the late 14th century from the Old French guider, meaning 'to lead, conduct'. The Old French term itself was borrowed from a Frankish (Germanic) source, likely wītan, which meant 'to show the way' and is related to the Old English wītan 'to look after, guard'. This Germanic root is ultimately traceable to the Proto-Indo-European base weid-, meaning 'to see' or 'to know', a connection that underscores the original sense of a guide as one who 'knows the way' through foresight and knowledge. The silent 'e' is a vestige of its French spelling, preserved in English orthography long after its pronunciation faded.
Analysis
Structure: guid (lead) + e (silent)
- guid: From Old French guider, of Germanic origin (Frankish wītan 'to show the way'). The functional role is the core verb stem meaning 'to lead'.
- e: A silent letter, often a historical remnant from Old French spelling conventions, with no independent functional role in modern English.
Examples
The park ranger will guide us through the forest trail.
These principles should guide your decision-making process.
I bought a travel guide before my trip to Italy.