wheedle
Wheedle (verb) means to cajole or attempt to persuade by flattery.
Etymology
Uncertain. Perhaps continuing Middle English wedlen (“to beg, ask for alms”), from Old English wǣdlian (“to be poor, be needy, be in want, beg”), from Proto-Germanic *wēþlōną (“to be in need”). Alternatively , borrowed from German wedeln (“to wag one's tail”), from Middle High German wedelen, a byform of Middle High German wadelen (“to wander, waver, wave, whip, stroke, flutter”), from Old High German wādalōn (“to wander, roam, rove”). In this case, it may be a doublet of waddle, or an independently formed etymological equivalent. The ⟨wh⟩ spelling (reflecting pronunciations with /ʍ/) is apparently unetymological.
Rhymes for wheedle
See all rhymes for wheedle →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of wheedle?
"wheedle" (verb) means to cajole or attempt to persuade by flattery.
What are the different meanings of wheedle?
"wheedle" has 2 main meanings: 1. To cajole or attempt to persuade by flattery; 2. To obtain by flattery, guile, or trickery.