noun any trick, collusion, contrivance, false representation, or underhand practice, used to defraud another. when injury is thereby effected, an action of deceit, as it called, lies for compensation.
2. deceit ·noun an attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false; a contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.