v. [UN-2 3.]
1. trans. To free (a person) from deception or mistake; to deliver from an erroneous idea.
1598. Florio, Disingannare, to vndeceiue, to cleare, to free or resolue from any doubt.
1651. Baxter, Lett. to Ch. at Bewdley, 9. If this much will not undeceive the misled, let them for me be deceived still.
1687. T. Brown, Saints in Uproar, Wks. 1730, I. 83. I am resolved to undeceive mankind.
1712. trans. Pomet’s Hist. Drugs, I. 215. I think my self oblig’d to undeceive the Publick.
1769. Junius Lett., xxxv. (1788), 182. Nothing less than your own misfortunes can undeceive you.
1839. Alison, Hist. Eur., liv. VII. 305. No sooner was he undeceived in this particular, than he despatched the most pressing orders.
1875. W. S. Hayward, Love agst. World, 45. I will very soon undeceive his lordship.
refl. 1687. Miége, II. To undeceive himself, se desabuser.
1708. J. Hughes, trans. Fontenelle’s Dial., I. v. 21. Undeceive yourself, I beseech you.
1829. Lytton, Devereux, II. vii. It is hard to undeceive ourselves.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Miner’s Right, ii. My heart had only now undeceived itself.
b. Const. of (an error, etc.).
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, To Rdr. 1. To undeceive my Country men of such Calumnies as are cast upon this … study.
1710. J. Clarke, trans. Rohault’s Nat. Philos. (1729), I. Pref. A Man who had undeceived the World of an ancient Errour.
1823. Southey, Hist. Penins. War, I. 427. He was undeceived of both errors in the Peninsula.
2. To instruct by removal of error.
1649. Milton, Eikon., i. 13. Thus much be said in general to his Prayers;.. .anough to undeceive us what esteem we are to set upon the rest.
