decipi

Decipi is a Latin verb form: the present passive infinitive of decipio, decipere, decepi, deceptus. It means “to be deceived” or “to be misled” and is the passive counterpart to the active decipere, “to deceive.” The participle deceptus, meaning “deceived,” is derived from the same verb. As an infinitive, decipi is used in non-finite clauses to express the action from the subject’s perspective in the passive voice.

Etymology and principal parts: Decipi comes from the Latin verb decipio, with the root likely linked to de- (away) and capere (to take), conveying a sense of taking one’s sense or understanding away. The principal parts are decipio, decipere, decepi, deceptus. In finite forms, decipio belongs to the third-conjugation -io class and furnishes the usual system of active forms; decipi remains limited to the non-finite, passive infinitive.

Usage and grammar: As a present passive infinitive, decipi denotes the action of being deceived. It appears in indirect discourse and in various non-finite clauses, often reported after verbs of thinking, saying, or perceiving, or in expressions describing states of belief or suspicion. It is distinct from the active infinitive decipere, which means “to deceive.” An example construction is me decipi putas, meaning “you think that I am being deceived.”

In literature and reference: Decipi is encountered in classical Latin texts where authors discuss deception, perception, or trust. The related participle deceptus and the noun deceptio (deception) derive from the same root, illustrating how Latin forms develop from a common semantic core of lying, trickery, and misperception. See also decipere, deceptio, deceptus.