Dictionary entry

Deceptive

Webster's Dictionary 1913

De‐cep″tive (?), a. [Cf. F. déceptif. See Deceive.] Tending to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with false opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or appearance.

Language altogether deceptive, and hiding the deeper reality from our eyes. Trench.

Deceptive cadence(Mus.), a cadence on the subdominant, or in some foreign key, postponing the final close.