Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Guilt

Guilt (gilt) , noun

[Old English gilt, gult, Anglo-Saxon gylt, crime; probably originally signifying, the fine or mulct paid for an offence, and afterward the offense itself, and akin to Anglo-Saxon gieldan to pay, English yield. See Yield, transitive verb]

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.
Satan had not answer, but stood struck With guilt of his own sin. — Milton
2.
Exposure to any legal penalty or forfeiture.
A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade. — Kent
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.