Deceive /(?)/

De·ceive

Deceive

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Deceived; p. pr. & vb. n. Deceiving

  1. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare.
    Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
    — 2 Tim. iii. 13.
    Nimble jugglers that deceive the eye.
    What can 'scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart?
  2. To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the attention; to while away; to take away as if by deception.
    These occupations oftentimes deceived The listless hour.
  3. To deprive by fraud or stealth; to defraud. [Obs.]
    Plant fruit trees in large borders, and set therein fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they deceive the trees.