v.
Pronunciation: di- ' s ē v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: de · ceived ; de · ceiv · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French deceivre, from Latin decipere, from de- + capere to take ― more at HEAVE
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 archaic : ENSNARE
2 a obsolete : to be false to b archaic : to fail to fulfill
3 obsolete : CHEAT
4 : to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid
5 archaic : to while away
intransitive verb : to practice deceit also : to give a false impression <appearances can deceive >
– de · ceiv · er noun
– de · ceiv · ing · ly \ - ' s ē -vi ŋ -l ē \ adverb
synonyms DECEIVE , MISLEAD , DELUDE , BEGUILE mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. DECEIVE implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness <tried to deceive me about the cost>. MISLEAD implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional <I was misled by the confusing sign>. DELUDE implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth <we were deluded into thinking we were safe>. BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving <was beguiled by false promises>.