[syn: guilt, guilty conscience, guilt feelings, guilt trip]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
Satan had not answer, but stood struck
With guilt of his own sin. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. Exposure to any legal penalty or forfeiture.
[1913 Webster]
A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade.
--Kent.
[1913 Webster]
3. A feeling of regret or remorse for having committed some
improper act; a recognition of one's own responsibility
for doing something wrong. "Depression is often rooted in
guilt which has not been dealt with in an appropriate
way." "Guilt is a natural and appropriate consequence to a
wrong action."
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
guilt
n 1: the state of having committed an offense [syn: guilt,
guiltiness] [ant: innocence]
2: remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense [syn:
guilt, guilty conscience, guilt feelings, guilt trip]