Subterfuge Definition
sŭbtər-fyo͝oj
noun
Deception used to achieve an end.
Tried to get her to sign the contract by subterfuge.
American Heritage
Any plan, action, or device used to hide one's true objective, evade a difficult or unpleasant situation, etc.; stratagem; artifice.
Webster's New World
A deceptive stratagem or device.
The meeting was a subterfuge to get him out of his office while it was searched.
American Heritage
(uncountable) Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Subterfuge
Noun
Singular:
subterfuge
Plural:
subterfugesOrigin of Subterfuge
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French from Old French suterfuge from Late Latin subterfugium from Latin subterfugere to escape subter secretly, beneath upo in Indo-European roots fugere to flee
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Late 16th century. Directly or via French from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugio (“I flee secretly"), from subter (“under") and fugio (“I flee").
From Wiktionary
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