Deluding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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deluding

[dษชหˆluหdษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

misleading someone

Deluding refers to the act of misleading or deceiving someone, often by creating a false impression or belief. It can involve the use of manipulation or false information to convince someone of something that is not true. Deluding is frequently used in psychological contexts where individuals may not recognize the reality of a situation due to their perceptions being distorted. This term is often associated with self-delusion, where an individual deceives themselves about the truth.

Synonyms

deceiving, duping, fooling, misleading.

Examples of usage

  • She was deluding herself into thinking he would change.
  • The magician was skilled at deluding the audience with his tricks.
  • He was deluding people about the danger posed by the situation.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Delusion is a recognized concept in psychology, often associated with a fixed false belief.
  • Self-delusion can occur when someone convinces themselves of something that isn't true, impacting their perception of reality.
  • Cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, help people maintain their delusions by favoring information that supports their false beliefs.

Literature

  • Many novels explore themes of delusion, like F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', where characters delude themselves about love and success.
  • Shakespeare often depicted characters falling into delusions, such as in 'Macbeth', where ambition leads to self-deception.
  • 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes portrays the humorous delusions of a man who believes he is a knight, showcasing the whimsy of misguided beliefs.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'living in a delusion' is frequently used in music lyrics, expressing themes of romantic and personal denial.
  • Films often portray characters who delude themselves into thinking theyโ€™re in control, such as in 'Fight Club'.
  • Shows like 'The Twilight Zone' explore the consequences of delusion, often leading to ironic or unsettling outcomes.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss delusion in terms of reality and perception, questioning what it means to truly know something.
  • Descartes famously pondered the possibility of being deceived by an evil demon, touching on themes of delusion and reality.
  • In Buddhism, delusions are seen as a primary cause of suffering, with teachings focusing on dispelling ignorance to attain enlightenment.

Origin of 'deluding'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'deludere', which means to mock or deceive.
  • In the 15th century, it began to be used in English to describe misleading someone.
  • The prefix 'de-' implies a removal or negation, while 'ludere' relates to play, suggesting a play on truth.

The word 'delude' stems from the Latin 'deludere', which means 'to mock, deceive, or fool'. This Latin term is a combination of the prefix 'de-' meaning 'from' or 'down from', and 'ludere' meaning 'to play'. The evolution of the term into English has retained its focus on deception and manipulation of belief or perception. Since its introduction into the English language in the late 14th century, 'delude' has been synonymous with causing someone to hold a false belief, often to the detriment of their understanding of reality. Over the centuries, the term has been used in various contexts, including literature and psychology, emphasizing both its emotional and cognitive dimensions.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,800, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.