deceit
pronunciation
How to pronounce deceit in British English:
UK [dɪˈsiːt]
How to pronounce deceit in American English:
US [dɪˈsiːt]
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- Noun:
- the quality of being fraudulent
- a misleading falsehood
- the act of deceiving
Word Origin
- deceit (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French deceite, fem. past participle of deceveir (see deceive). Deceit is a shorter and more energetic word for deceitfulness, indicating the quality; it is also, but more rarely, used to express the act or manner of deceiving. The reverse is true of deception, which is properly the act or course by which one deceives, and not properly the quality; it may express the state of being deceived. Fraud is an act or series of acts of deceit by which one attempts to benefit himself at the expense of others. It is generally a breaking of the law; the others are not. [entry for "deceit" in "The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia," 1902]
Synonym
cheating trumpery chicanery duplicity collusion shenanigan deception craft wiliness evil ways fraud dupery double-dealing knavery hocus-pocus chicane duping slyness cunning fraudulence jugglery con cozenage trickery
Example
- 1. And so the game of deceit and double-dealing continued .
- 2. Pay attention to voice changes like these ; they may well indicate deceit .
- 3. The financial crisis provides an apparently endless opportunity for unmasking deceit , malfeasance , and corruption .
- 4. As kreuger slipped deeper into debt and deceit his personality became impenetrable .
- 5. It is a myth , of course , that business dealings of that era were free of deceit and theft .