De-çēive', v. t.
[imp. & p. p. DECEIVED; p. pr. & vb. n. DECEIVING.] [O. Fr. decever, deceveir, now decevoir, from Lat. decipere, to catch, to insnare, to deceive, from de and capere, to take, catch.]
Sense 1. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to delude; to insnare; to entrap; to disappoint.
Nimble jugglers that deceive the eye. Shak.
*What can 'scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart?* Milton.
Sense 2. To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the attention.
*These occupations oftentimes deceived The listless hour.* Wordsworth.
Sense 3. To deprive by stratagem or encroachment; to defraud. [Obs.]
*Plant fruit-trees in large borders, and set therein fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they deceive the trees.* Bacon.