verb (used with object), de·lud·ed, de·lud·ing.
- to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive: His conceit deluded him into believing he was important.
- Obsolete. to mock or frustrate the hopes or aims of.
- Obsolete. to elude; evade.
verb (tr)
- to deceive the mind or judgment of; mislead; beguile
- rare to frustrate (hopes, expectations, etc)
c.1400, from Latin deludere “to play false; to mock, deceive,” from de- “down, to one’s detriment” + ludere “to play” (see ludicrous). Related: Deluded; deluding.