A Dictionary of Cont..

decide 128
or practice of deceiving or of concealing or perverting
the truth with intention to mislead
(Pope’s love of deceit seemed to grow with the
passing years; he hid himself in ever more subtle
mazes of guile), or that which deceives, a lie,
an artifice, or cunning trick (My lips shall not
speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit).
Deception is properly the act, and not the
quality, of deceiving (This deception shall cost
him dear). It can mean the state of being deceived
(The extent of their deception is fantastic;
they are besotted with the charlatan).
decide may be followed by an infinitive, as in he
decided to go, or by a clause, as in he decided
he would go. It may also be followed by the -ing
form of a verb with the preposition on, as in
he decided on going.
decided; decisive. Decided means unquestionable,
free from ambiguity (He showed decide(d signs
of dementia praecox. Anton’s weight gave him
a decided advantage in the ring over his slighter
opponent. He was n decided man: everything
was black and white to him; he recognized no
doubts or shades of gray).
Decisive means having the power or quality
of determining, putting an end to controversy
by swaying the balance definitely and finally in
one direction. Decided signs of dementia praecox
would be definite, unmistakable signs. Decisive
signs would be signs that made it plain
that a case about which there had been uncertainty
was beyond doubt one of dementia praecox.
Decisive applies ordinarily to things, events,
or decrees. A decided victory would be one in
which one side triumphed so completely that
there could be no question in anyone’s mind as
to which was the winner. A decisive victory
would be one that settled a conflict.
Decisive is not usually applied to persons but
it may be. When it is, it has the same meaning
as decided: characterized by, or displaying, decision
(He had a decisive character). Decided,
however, cannot be used for decisive.
decide; decree; determine; resolve. To decide is
to make up one’s mind, promptly and firmly.
To determine is to make up one’s mind and
then doggedly-sometimes obstinately-to stick
to the settled purpose. To resolve is to settle a
disputed or uncertain matter by deliberate choice
and will; there is in the word an implication of
the expenditure of considerable time and 1 hought
in the process of reaching the conclusion. A matter
may be decided almost instantaneously but
it can be resolved only after cogitation. To
decree is to ordain or promulgate an edict. A
decree can be issued only by someone in authority
(The President was determined to end
the confusing situation. After talking it over
with his advisers he resolved to act. He