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Delude Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคฅ
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delude

[dษชหˆluหd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to deceive

To delude means to deceive someone into believing something that is not true. It often involves trickery or manipulation to make someone believe a false idea or concept.

Synonyms

deceive, mislead, trick.

Examples of usage

  • He deluded me into thinking that he was a millionaire.
  • Don't delude yourself into believing that everything will work out perfectly.
Context #2 | Verb

to entertain false beliefs

Delude can also mean to hold or maintain false beliefs, especially in the face of evidence to the contrary. It implies a self-deception or refusal to accept reality.

Synonyms

deceive oneself, fool oneself, mislead oneself.

Examples of usage

  • She deludes herself into thinking that he still loves her.
  • The cult leader deluded his followers into believing they were invincible.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases can cause people to delude themselves by distorting facts to fit their beliefs.
  • The phenomenon of 'wishful thinking' often leads individuals to delude themselves about potential outcomes if they want something very much.
  • Self-delusion is a common area of study in psychology, examining how individuals can fail to see their own shortcomings.

Literature

  • Delusion is a common theme in literature, often showcasing characters who are misled by their own perceptions.
  • In Shakespeare's works, characters often delude themselves, leading to tragic outcomes, highlighting the folly of self-deceit.
  • Fiction often explores the idea of delusion versus reality, creating dramatic tension as characters confront their beliefs.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and books feature central characters who are deluded about their identity or circumstances, such as 'The Sixth Sense' where the main character is unaware of his true state.
  • Reality TV often showcases situations where contestants delude themselves about their chances of winning, adding to the drama.
  • The term 'deluded fan' is often used to describe fans who have unrealistic expectations about celebrities.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have long debated the nature of reality and perception, exploring how delusion can impact human understanding.
  • Socratic questioning is a technique used to reveal delusions among individuals, guiding them to see the truth.
  • Renรฉ Descartes' famous assertion 'I think, therefore I am' implies that to delude oneself is to accept false beliefs at odds with reason.

Origin of 'delude'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'deludere,' which means 'to play false' or 'to mock.'
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century, originally in the context of deceiving or mocking someone.
  • The prefix 'de-' means 'from' or 'away,' suggesting a moving away from reality.

The word 'delude' originated from the Latin word 'deludere', which means 'to mock' or 'to deceive'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century, evolving to its current meaning of deceiving or misleading someone. The concept of delusion has been explored in psychology and philosophy, highlighting the complexities of human perception and belief.

See also: deluded, delusion, delusional.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,047, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.