de|ceit

de|ceit
de|ceit «dih SEET», noun.
1. the act of making a person believe as true something that is false; deceiving, lying or cheating: »

The swindler's open, frank face made him seem incapable of deceit.

2. a dishonest trick; a lie spoken or acted: »

A polite deceit sometimes backfires on the deceiver.

SYNONYM(S): stratagem, wile.
3. the quality in a person that makes him tell lies or cheat; deceitfulness: »

The dishonest trader was full of deceit.

SYNONYM(S): cunning.
[< Old French deceite < deceveir; see etym. under deceive (Cf.deceive)]
Synonym Study 1 Deceit, deception, guile mean false or misleading representation. Deceit implies concealing or twisting the truth in order to mislead and gain advantage over others: »

The trader was truthful and without deceit.

Deception applies to the act that gives a false or wrong idea, but does not always suggest a dishonest purpose: »

A magician uses deception.

Guile suggests craftiness and slyness and deception by means of trickery: »

He got what he wanted by guile, not work.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • ceit — con·ceit·ed; de·ceit; de·ceit·ful; de·ceit·ful·ly; de·ceit·ful·ness; con·ceit; con·ceit·ed·ly; con·ceit·ed·ness; …   English syllables

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  • de|ceit´ful|ness — de|ceit|ful «dih SEET fuhl», adjective. 1. ready or willing to deceive or lie: »A liar is a deceitful person. SYNONYM(S): insincere, disingenuous. 2. meant to deceive; deceiving; misleading: »She told a deceitful story to avoid punishment.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|ceit´ful|ly — de|ceit|ful «dih SEET fuhl», adjective. 1. ready or willing to deceive or lie: »A liar is a deceitful person. SYNONYM(S): insincere, disingenuous. 2. meant to deceive; deceiving; misleading: »She told a deceitful story to avoid punishment.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|ceit|ful — «dih SEET fuhl», adjective. 1. ready or willing to deceive or lie: »A liar is a deceitful person. SYNONYM(S): insincere, disingenuous. 2. meant to deceive; deceiving; misleading: »She told a deceitful story to avoid punishment. SYNONYM(S) …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|ceit´ed|ly — con|ceit|ed «kuhn SEE tihd», adjective. 1. having too high an opinion of oneself or one s ability; vain: »We heard no more of the conceited boy s great strength after he lost the fight. SYNONYM(S): egotistical, proud. 2. Dialect. full of notions; …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|ceit|ed — «kuhn SEE tihd», adjective. 1. having too high an opinion of oneself or one s ability; vain: »We heard no more of the conceited boy s great strength after he lost the fight. SYNONYM(S): egotistical, proud. 2. Dialect. full of notions; fanciful;… …   Useful english dictionary

  • self-con|ceit|ed — «SEHLF kuhn SEE tihd», adjective. having or showing self conceit …   Useful english dictionary

  • self-con|ceit — «SEHLF kuhn SEET», noun. too much pride in oneself or one s ability; conceit. SYNONYM(S): egotism …   Useful english dictionary

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