guilt

Meanings

Noun

• Responsibility for wrongdoing.
• The state of having been found guilty or admitted guilt in legal proceedings.
• The regret of having done wrong.

Verb

• To commit offenses; act criminally.
• To cause someone to feel guilt, particularly in order to influence their behaviour.

Origin

• From Middle English gilt, gult, from Old English gylt, of obscure origin. Perhaps connected with Old English ġieldan, whence yield.
• From Middle English gilten, gylten, from Old English gyltan, from gylt.