Giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading or likely to mislead.
From Latin 'deceptivus', derived from 'decipere' meaning 'to deceive', literally 'to catch or ensnare'. The word entered English through Old French in the 14th century.
Deceptive appearances are everywhere in nature - from harmless butterflies that mimic poisonous ones to deep pools that look shallow. This evolutionary strategy shows how deception can be a survival tool rather than just a moral failing.
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