1 tr. make (a person) believe what is false, mislead purposely.
2 tr. be unfaithful to, esp. sexually.
3 intr. use deceit.
4 tr. archaic disappoint (esp. hopes).
Phrases and idioms:
be deceived be mistaken or deluded. deceive oneself persist in a mistaken belief.
Derivatives:
deceivable adj. deceiver n.
Etymology: ME f. OF deceivre or deceiv- stressed stem of deceveir (as DECEIT)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.