delude
UK[dɪˈluːd]US[dɪˈluːd]
v
to make someone believe something that is not true; to deceive.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
lude
de
away, down
lude
to play
Etymology
the verb "delude" originates from the latin deludere, a compound of de- ("down, away") and ludere ("to play"). the original latin sense was "to play false, to mock, to deceive," evoking the image of leading someone astray through a deceptive game or trick. this notion of playful mockery evolved into the more serious and abstract meaning of causing someone to believe a falsehood. the word entered english in the late middle english period via old french, solidifying its modern sense of intentional deception.
Analysis
Structure: de (away, down) + lude (to play)
- de: a latin prefix meaning "away, down, off, completely." it often indicates reversal or removal.
- lude: from the latin root ludere, meaning "to play." in this context, it carries the sense of mocking or tricking as in a game.
Examples
he tried to delude the public into thinking the company was profitable.
don't delude yourself into believing the problem will simply disappear.
the scam was designed to delude elderly investors with promises of unrealistic returns.