decoy Hear it!

decoy definition

de·coy (dē ko̵i′, di-; for n., usually dē′ko̵i′)

noun

  1. a place into which wild ducks, etc. are lured for capture
  2. an artificial bird or animal, or sometimes a trained live one, used to lure game to a place where it can be shot
  3. a thing or person used to lure or tempt into danger or a trap a police decoy

Etymology: < Du de kooi, the cage < de, def. art. (akin to the) + kooi, cage < WGmc *kawia < L cavea, cage

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to lure or be lured into a trap, danger, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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