Guilt

Guilt
Guilt Guilt (g[i^]lt), n. [OE. gilt, gult, AS. gylt, crime; probably originally signifying, the fine or mulct paid for an offence, and afterward the offense itself, and akin to AS. gieldan to pay, E. yield. See {Yield}, v. t.] 1. The criminality and consequent exposure to punishment resulting from willful disobedience of law, or from morally wrong action; the state of one who has broken a moral or political law; crime; criminality; offense against right. [1913 Webster]

Satan had not answer, but stood struck With guilt of his own sin. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Exposure to any legal penalty or forfeiture. [1913 Webster]

A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade. --Kent. [1913 Webster]

3. A feeling of regret or remorse for having committed some improper act; a recognition of one's own responsibility for doing something wrong. ``Depression is often rooted in guilt which has not been dealt with in an appropriate way.'' ``Guilt is a natural and appropriate consequence to a wrong action.'' [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Guilt — «Guilt» …   Википедия

  • guilt — n [Old English gylt delinquency]: the fact of having committed an offense esp. against the law not enough evidence to establish guilt compare innocence Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • guilt — [ gılt ] noun uncount ** 1. ) a feeling of being ashamed and sorry because you have done something wrong: Instead of satisfaction she felt only guilt. twinge/pang of guilt: She felt a sudden twinge of guilt. guilt about/at/for/over: I often felt… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • guilt — guilt; guilt·i·ly; guilt·i·ness; guilt·less; guilt·less·ly; guilt·less·ness; …   English syllables

  • guilt´i|ly — guilt|y «GIHL tee», adjective, guilt|i|er, guilt|i|est. 1. having done wrong; deserving to be blamed and punished: »The jury pronounced the prisoner guilty of murder. SYNONYM(S): culpabl …   Useful english dictionary

  • guilt|y — «GIHL tee», adjective, guilt|i|er, guilt|i|est. 1. having done wrong; deserving to be blamed and punished: »The jury pronounced the prisoner guilty of murder. SYNONYM(S): culpabl …   Useful english dictionary

  • guilt — gilt n feelings of culpability esp. for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy: morbid self reproach often manifest in marked preoccupation with the moral correctness of one s behavior <aggressive responses originating in inner guilt… …   Medical dictionary

  • guilt — [gilt] n. [ME gilt < OE gylt, a sin, offense] 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 …   English World dictionary

  • guilt — *blame, culpability, fault Analogous words: sin, crime, *offense: responsibility, answerability, liability (see corresponding adjectives at RESPONSIBLE) Antonyms: innocence: guiltlessness …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • guilt — [n] blame; bad conscience over responsibility answerability, blameworthiness, contrition, crime, criminality, culpability, delinquency, dereliction, disgrace, dishonor, error, failing, fault, indiscretion, infamy, iniquity, lapse, liability,… …   New thesaurus

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