I. ˈgīd noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English gide, from Middle French guide, from Old Provençal guida, from guidar to guide, direct, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, depart, witan to know — more at wit
1.
a. : a person who leads or directs another in his way or course (as in a strange country or through difficult terrain)
b. : a person who exhibits and usually discusses or explains points of interest (as of a city, a museum collection, or a building) to sightseers
c. : something (as a guidebook, signpost, or instruction manual) that provides a person with guiding information
d. : one (as a teacher) who directs a person in his conduct or course of life : director , supervisor
no boy ever had a better guide than I in the fundamental decencies of life
2.
a. : a contrivance for directing the motion of something ; especially : such a contrivance (as in a tool) having a directing edge, surface, or channel
b. : a device (as a ring or loop) made usually of metal or agate and attached to a fishing rod to hold the line in position
c. : the groove in which the plow used in bookbinding moves
d. : a small device for guiding threads or strands of fiber on a spinning, winding, quilling, or other textile machine
e. : a device in a printing press or folding machine for holding and releasing a sheet
f. : a grooved director for a surgical probe or knife
g. : a sheet of metal or other material or a card with projecting edge or tab for labeling that is inserted in a card catalog, index, or other file to facilitate reference
3.
a. : a person or vehicle upon whom the movements or alignments of a military command are regulated — used especially in commands
guide right
guide center
b. : a warship on which others in a formation regulate their positions
4.
a. : girl guide
b. : an 11-year-old to 16-year-old girl guide — distinguished from brownie
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English giden, guiden, from Middle French guider, alteration (influenced by guide, n.) of Old French guier, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, depart, witan to know — more at wit
transitive verb
1. : to act as guide to : direct in a way : conduct , pilot
guided us through the city
2.
a. : to regulate and manage : direct or supervise especially toward some desirable end, course, way, or development
b. : to superintend the training or education of : instruct , advise , counsel
his studies were guided by one of the great educators of the day
3. Scotland : to treat or handle especially another person or an animal
guided her ill
intransitive verb
: to act or work as a guide
Synonyms:
lead , steer , pilot , engineer : guide may apply to the act of conducting or directing along a course as performed by one with certain, specific, or intimate knowledge or by something equally trustworthy
guided by a native on their expedition through the mountains
guide patrons to their proper seats
inspired and galvanized by the personality of a great man who was guiding them in their art — Stephen Williams
be guided by good judgment — C.S.Kilby
lead suggests preceding to show the way; sometimes, in addition, it indicates keeping those following in order; it may refer to taking initiative, determining procedure, or assuming a director's role
led his men to safety
led the caravan west
leading the supporters of the amendment
the man leading the research project
steer suggests the action of one planning or adhering to a course with concomitant controlling, governing, or maneuvering
steering the ship past the sandbars into the harbor
deftly steered the Council of the International Congress through its problems concerned with the place of the next session — A.L.Kroeber
secure in the faith that his reasoned intelligence will steer him correctly at all times — H.N.Maclean
pilot suggests leading or steering over a dangerous, intricate, or complicated course or route
pilot the ship through the channel
wagon trains piloted by bearded scouts
took his sister's arm and piloted her to a safe corner
piloting important bills through the senate — Current Biography
engineer may refer to planning and supervising construction; it often indicates carrying through, executing, or effectuating with contriving, maneuvering, manipulating, and calculating
the influential Americans in Hawaii, with the connivance of United States Minister Stevens and the “moral” support of American marines, engineered a revolution, deposed the Queen — J.W.Ellison b.1891
spokesman for the party when graceful adjustments were to be made or delicate compromises engineered — S.H.Adams
behind it all was the Soviet leviathan skilfully, though at times crudely, pulling strings, engineering, manipulating, staging, and, if need be, intimidating and compelling — Alexander Dallin