Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to mislead by a false appearance or statement; delude: They deceived the enemy by disguising the destroyer as a freighter.
2.
to be unfaithful to (one's spouse or lover).
3.
Archaic. to while away (time).
verb (used without object)
4.
to mislead or falsely persuade others; practice deceit: an engaging manner that easily deceives.
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Deceive
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English deceiven < Old French deceivre < Latin dēcipere, literally, to ensnare, equivalent to dē- de- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
1250–1300; Middle English deceiven < Old French deceivre < Latin dēcipere, literally, to ensnare, equivalent to dē- de- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
Related forms
de·ceiv·a·ble·ness, de·ceiv·a·bil·i·ty, noun
de·ceiv·a·bly, adverb
de·ceiv·er, noun
de·ceiv·ing·ly, adverb
in·ter·de·ceive, verb, -ceived, -ceiv·ing.
EXPANDnon·de·ceiv·ing, adjective
pre·de·ceive, verb (used with object), -ceived, -ceiv·ing.
pre·de·ceiv·er, noun
re·de·ceive, verb (used with object), -ceived, -ceiv·ing.
well-de·ceived, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
1. cozen, dupe, fool, gull, hoodwink, trick, defraud, outwit, entrap, ensnare, betray. See cheat.
1. cozen, dupe, fool, gull, hoodwink, trick, defraud, outwit, entrap, ensnare, betray. See cheat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To deceive
Example Sentences
- Illegal products deceive the consumer and displace legitimate sales.
- In timing a short event, your eyes may deceive your ears.
- There is no intention to deceive.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
deceive
c.1300, from O.Fr. deceveir, from L. decipere "to ensnare, take in," from de- "from" or pejorative + capere "to take" (see capable).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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