v. 1 tr. make (a person) believe what is false, mislead purposely. 2 tr. be unfaithful to, esp. sexually. 3 intr. use deceit. 4 tr. archaic disappoint (esp. hopes). be deceived be mistaken or deluded. deceive oneself persist in a mistaken belief. deceivable adj. deceiver n.
[ ME f. OF deceivre or deceiv- stressed stem of deceveir (as DECEIT) ]