guilt

The definition of guilt is a feeling that you have done something wrong or bad or let someone down, or the state of having broken a law.

(noun)

  1. When you feel bad about lying to your husband, this is an example of a time when you feel guilt.
  2. When you are arrested and you are sent to prison after a trial, this is an example of a time when a prosecutor has proved your guilt.

To guilt is defined as to try to make someone feel bad or coerce someone into doing something by making him feel bad.

(verb)

When you tell your friend over and over how sad and disappointed you will be if she does not come to your party, this is an example of a time when you try to guilt her into coming to your party.

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See guilt in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the state of having done a wrong or committed an offense; culpability, legal or ethical
  2. a painful feeling of self-reproach resulting from a belief that one has done something wrong or immoral
  3. conduct that involves guilt; crime; sin

Origin: ME gilt < OE gylt, a sin, offense

See guilt in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The fact of being responsible for the commission of an offense. See Synonyms at blame.
    b. Law The fact of having been found to have violated a criminal law; legal culpability.
    c. Responsibility for a mistake or error.
  2. a. Remorseful awareness of having done something wrong.
    b. Self-reproach for supposed inadequacy or wrongdoing.
transitive verb guilt·ed, guilt·ing, guilts
To make or try to make (someone) feel guilty.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gilt

Origin: , from Old English gylt, crime

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