deception
UK: dɪˈsɛpʃən | US: dɪˈsɛpʃən
n. the act of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth
n. a trick or scheme intended to mislead
The word "deception" traces back to Latin decipere ("to deceive"), combining de- (away) and capere (to take). The root cept (from capere) evolved into English words like "capture" and "concept," retaining the core idea of "taking." Over time, deception narrowed to specifically mean "taking someone away from the truth" through deceit. The suffix -ion nominalizes the action, forming a concrete noun.
The magician’s deception amazed the audience.
She saw through his deception and refused to believe his lies.
The spy’s success relied on careful deception.
Advertising sometimes borders on deception if claims are exaggerated.
The novel explores themes of trust and deception.