De*cep"tion (?), n. [F.
déception, L. deceptio, fr. decipere,
deceptum. See Deceive.] 1. The act
of deceiving or misleading. South.
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.
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.
