engle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / Obsolete / DialectalArchaic / Literary / Regional Dialect
Quick answer
What does “engle” mean?
To coax, persuade, or wheedle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To coax, persuade, or wheedle; to cajole or beguile.
An archaic or dialectal verb for the act of charming or sweet-talking someone, often with a degree of artful manipulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties treat the word as equally archaic. It might have slightly more historical attestation in British regional dialects (Southwest England).
Connotations
Literary, quaint, or antiquated.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both. Largely unknown to contemporary speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “engle” in a Sentence
[Subject] engles [Indirect Object] [into + Gerund][Subject] engles [Direct Object] (e.g., a promise)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “engle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old Cornish fisherman could engle a story from the most taciturn of souls.
- She tried to engle a discount from the stubborn shopkeeper.
American English
- The charlatan engled his way into the widow's confidence.
- He engled the secret from her with honeyed words.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form.
American English
- No established adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No established adjectival form.
American English
- No established adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistic or literary studies.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “engle”
- Misspelling as 'ingle' or 'angle'.
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'ask'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or dialectal. Most native speakers would not know it.
No, standard historical usage is as a verb only. Any nominal use would be highly non-standard.
Being misunderstood or sounding artificially archaic. Modern synonyms like 'coax' or 'cajole' are always preferable.
No, there is no established etymological connection. 'Engle' is thought to be related to an old Germanic root meaning 'to deceive artfully'.
To coax, persuade, or wheedle.
Engle is usually archaic / literary / regional dialect in register.
Engle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɛŋɡəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛŋɡəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in modern usage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Eagle'—an eagle might 'engle' its prey with a mesmerizing swoop before the strike (to charm before getting something).
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSUASION IS A GENTLE ART / WINNING FAVOUR IS A SOFT GAME.
Practice
Quiz
'Engle' is best understood as an archaic term meaning to: