- Deception
- Deception De*cep"tion, n. [F. d['e]ception, L. deceptio, fr.
decipere, deceptum. See {Deceive}.]
1. The act of deceiving or misleading. --South.
[1913 Webster]
2. The state of being deceived or misled. [1913 Webster]
There is one thing relating either to the action or enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to deception. --South. [1913 Webster]
3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud. [1913 Webster]
There was of course room for vast deception. --Motley.
Syn: {Deception}, {Deceit}, {Fraud}, {Imposition}.
Usage: Deception usually refers to the act, and deceit to the habit of the mind; hence we speak of a person as skilled in deception and addicted to deceit. The practice of deceit springs altogether from design, and that of the worst kind; but a deception does not always imply aim and intention. It may be undesigned or accidental. An imposition is an act of deception practiced upon some one to his annoyance or injury; a fraud implies the use of stratagem, with a view to some unlawful gain or advantage. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.