\De*cep"tion\, n. [F. d['e]ception, 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}.

Usage: 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.