- guide (v.)
- late 14c., from O.Fr. guider "to guide, lead, conduct," from Frankish *witan "show the way," from P.Gmc. *wit- "to know" (cf. Ger. weisen "to show, point out," O.E. witan "to see"). The French word influenced by O.Prov. guidar (n.) "guide, leader," from the same source. The noun meaning "one who shows the way" first recorded mid-14c. In 18c. France, a "for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to" book would be a guid' âne, lit. "guide-ass."