delude Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb be false to; be dishonest with
    cozen; lead on; deceive.

WordNet

De*lude" transitive verb
Etymology
L. deludere, delusum; de- + ludere to play, make sport of, mock. See Ludicrous.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Deluded; present participle & verbal noun Deluding
Definitions
  1. To lead from truth or into error; to mislead the mind or judgment of to beguile; to impose on; to dupe; to make a fool of.
    To delude the nation by an airy phantom. Burke.
  2. To frustrate or disappoint.
    It deludes thy search. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To mislead; deceive; beguile; cajole; cheat; dupe. See Deceive.

Webster 1913