inveigle
UK[ɪnˈveɪɡl]US[ɪnˈveɪɡl]
v
to persuade someone to do something in a clever or deceptive way.
v
to lure or entice by artful talk or inducements.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
veigle
in
into
veigle
Etymology
the word 'inveigle' entered english in the late 15th century from the anglo-french phrase enveogler, meaning 'to blind, deceive'. this, in turn, evolved from the old french aveugler ('to blind'), which has its roots in the vulgar latin aboculus, literally 'without sight', from latin ab- ('away from') and oculus ('eye'). the literal notion of blinding someone, or obscuring their judgment, evolved metaphorically into the modern sense of deceiving or enticing someone through cunning persuasion. the english spelling was altered by association with the latin prefix in-, reinforcing the idea of leading someone 'into' a state of deception.
Analysis
Structure: in + veigle
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'into' or 'towards'); veigle (from old french aveugler, meaning 'to blind', derived from vulgar latin aboculus, from latin ab- (away) + oculus (eye)).
Examples
he managed to inveigle his way into the exclusive party.
she inveigled the secret out of him with flattery and charm.
don't let yourself be inveigled into signing a contract you don't understand.