delusion

Where does the word "delusion" come from? It comes from Latin deludere, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Delusion’s story begins in Latin: deludere meant “to deceive, to mock.” To deceive, to mock, from de- (down) and ludere (to play). It reached English by 1500s as delusion. Settled as the English word for a false belief held despite evidence. Today, delusion means a persistent false belief held despite clear evidence to the contrary.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient deludere "to deceive, to mock", to deceive, to mock, from de- (down) and ludere (to play).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s delusion "a false belief held despite evidence against it", settled as the English word for a false belief held despite evidence.