Part 69

Syn. -- Deceive, Delude, Mislead. Deceive is a general word applicable to any kind of misrepresentation affecting faith or life. To delude, primarily, is to make sport of, by deceiving, and is accomplished by playing upon one's imagination or credulity, as by exciting false hopes, causing him to undertake or expect what is impracticable, and making his failure ridiculous. It implies some infirmity of judgment in the victim, and intention to deceive in the deluder. But it is often used reflexively, indicating that a person's own weakness has made him the sport of others or of fortune; as, he deluded himself with a belief that luck would always favor him. To mislead is to lead, guide, or direct in a wrong way, either willfully or ignorantly.

De*ceiv"er (?), n. One who deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat; an impostor.

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

Job xii. 16.

Syn. -- Deceiver, Impostor. A deceiver operates by stealth and in private upon individuals; an impostor practices his arts on the community at large. The one succeeds by artful falsehoods, the other by bold assumption. The faithless friend and the fickle lover are deceivers; the false prophet and the pretended prince are impostors.

De*cem"ber (d*sm"br), n. [F. décembre, from L. December, fr. decem ten; this being the tenth month among the early Romans, who began the year in March. See Ten.] 1. The twelfth and last month of the year, containing thirty-one days. During this month occurs the winter solstice.

2. Fig.: With reference to the end of the year and to the winter season; as, the December of his life.

De`cem*den"tate (?), a. [L. decem ten + E. dentate.] Having ten points or teeth.

De*cem"fid (d*sm"fd), a. [L. decem ten + root of findere to cleave.] (Bot.) Cleft into ten parts.

De`cem*loc"u*lar (?), a. [L. decem ten + E. locular.] (Bot.) Having ten cells for seeds.

De*cem"pe*dal (d*sm"p*dal), a. [L. decem ten + E. pedal.] 1. Ten feet in length.

2. (Zoöl.) Having ten feet; decapodal. [R.] Bailey.

De*cem"vir (?), n.; pl. E. Decemvirs (#), L. Decemviri (#). [L., fr. decem ten + vir a man.] 1. One of a body of ten magistrates in ancient Rome.

The title of decemvirs was given to various bodies of Roman magistrates. The most celebrated decemvirs framed "the laws of the Twelve Tables," about 450 B. C., and had absolute authority for three years.

2. A member of any body of ten men in authority.

De*cem"vi*ral (?), a. [L. decemviralis.] Pertaining to the decemvirs in Rome.

De*cem"vi*rate (?), n. [L. decemviratus.] 1. The office or term of office of the decemvirs in Rome.

2. A body of ten men in authority.

De*cem"vir*ship (?), n. The office of a decemvir. Holland.

De"cence (?), n. Decency. [Obs.] Dryden.

De"cen*cy (?), n.; pl. Decencies (#). [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. décence. See Decent.] 1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty.

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general.

Burke.

Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense.

Roscommon.

2. That which is proper or becoming.

The external decencies of worship.

Atterbury.