Wile, n.
Etymology: [OE. wile, AS. wil; cf. Icel. v, væl. Cf. Guile.]
A trick or stratagem practiced for insnaring or deception; a sly, insidious; artifice; a beguilement; an allurement. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. vi. 11. Not more almighty to resist our might, Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. Milton.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Wile, v. t.
1. To practice artifice upon; to deceive; to beguile; to allure. [R.] Spenser.
2. To draw or turn away, as by diversion; to while or while away; to cause to pass pleasantly. Tennyson.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for wile; he lists it under artifice, pretense.
Where he writes about it:
A wile is usually but not necessarily evil. — from artifice
E'en children followed with endearing wile. — from artifice