Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Guilt"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Satan had not answer, but stood struck With guilt of
his own sin. --Milton.
2. Exposure to any legal penalty or forfeiture.
A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade.
--Kent.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
guilt
n 1: the state of having committed an offense [syn: {guiltiness}]
[ant: {innocence}]
2: remorse cause by feeling responsible for some offence [syn:
{guilty conscience}, {guilt feelings}, {guilt trip}]
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