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Deception - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Deception : \De*cep"tion\, n. [F. d['e]ception, L. deceptio, fr.
decipere, deceptum. See Deceive.]
1. The act of deceiving or misleading. --South.
2. The state of being deceived or misled.
There is one thing relating either to the action or
enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to
deception. --South.
3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false
representation; artifice; cheat; fraud.
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.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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