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guide

Pronunciation: /ɡaɪd/

The English word “guide” has 15 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain.
  2. A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook.
  3. A sign that guides people; guidepost.
  4. Any marking or object that catches the eye to provide quick reference.
  5. Synonym of legend, a key to symbols, abbreviations, and terms on a map, chart, etc.
  6. A blade or channel for directing the flow of water to the buckets in a water wheel.
  7. A grooved director for a probe or knife in surgery.
  8. A strip or device to direct the compositor's eye to the line of copy being set.
  9. A spirit believed to speak through a medium.
  10. A member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.

verb

  1. To serve as a guide for someone or something; to lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path.
  2. To steer or navigate, especially a ship or as a pilot.
  3. To exert control or influence over someone or something.
  4. To supervise the education or training of someone.
  5. To act as a guide.

Etymology

From Middle English guide, from the Old French guide, from Old Occitan guida, from guidar, from Frankish *wītan (“to show the way, lead”), from Proto-Germanic *wītaną (“to see, know; go, depart”), from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to see, know”). Cognate with Old English wītan (“to see, take heed to, watch after, guard, keep”). Related also to English wit.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.