delusion

de-lu-sion · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A false belief or opinion held despite clear evidence to the contrary.

  2. 2.

    (psychiatry) A persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness.

  3. 3.

    The action of deceiving someone or the state of being deceived.

Related words

Antonyms: fact, reality, truth
See also: delusional, delusions, fantasy, illusion
Synonyms: false belief, fantasy, hallucination, illusion, misconception

Etymology

From Latin delusio meaning "a deceiving," from deludere meaning "to mock, deceive," from de- (down, away) + ludere (to play). Entered English in the 15th century.