01 n. The act of deceiving or misleading.
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1.
The act of deceiving or misleading.
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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.
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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.
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.