Hypertext Webster Gateway: "wheedle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Wheedle \Whee"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wheedled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Wheedling}.] [Cf. G. wedeln to wag with the tail, as a
dog, wedel a fan, tail, brush, OHG. wadal; akin to G. wehen
to blow, and E. wind, n.]
1. To entice by soft words; to cajole; to flatter; to coax.
The unlucky art of wheedling fools. --Dryden.
And wheedle a world that loves him not. --Tennyson.
2. To grain, or get away, by flattery.
A deed of settlement of the best part of her estate,
which I wheedled out of her. --Congreve.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Wheedle \Whee"dle\, v. i.
To flatter; to coax; to cajole.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
wheedle
v : influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or
flattering; "He palavered her into going along" [syn: {cajole},
{palaver}, {blarney}, {coax}, {sweet-talk}, {inveigle}]
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