De*lude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Deluding.] [L. deludere, delusum; de- + ludere to play, make sport of, mock. See Ludicrous.]
1.
To lead from truth or into error; to mislead the mind or judgment of to beguile; to impose on; to dupe; to make a fool of.
To delude the nation by an airy phantom.
Burke.
2.
To frustrate or disappoint.
It deludes thy search.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To mislead; deceive; beguile; cajole; cheat; dupe. See Deceive.
© Webster 1913.