01 n. An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to b…
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1.
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.“Making the ephah small and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit.” — Amos viii. 5.“Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile.” — Milton.“Yet still we hug the dear deceit.” — N. Cotton.
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2.
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.(Law)