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stratagem

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The definition of a stratagem is a plan or scheme intended to outwit an opponent or achieve a purpose.

(noun)

When you are participating in a scavenger hunt and you want to beat the other side and you and your teammates brainstorm a way to solve the clues quickly, this is an example of stratagem.

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See stratagem in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a trick, scheme, or plan for deceiving an enemy in war
any trick or scheme for achieving some purpose

Origin: LME stratageme < L strategema < Gr stratēgēma, device or act of a general < stratēgos, a general < stratos, army (for IE base see strew) + agein, to lead: see act

See stratagem in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A military maneuver designed to deceive or surprise an enemy.
A clever, often underhanded scheme for achieving an objective. See Synonyms at wile.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French stratageme

Origin: , from Old Italian stratagemma

Origin: , from Latin stratēgēma

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from stratēgein, to be a general

Origin: , from stratēgos, general

Origin: : stratos, army; see ster-² in Indo-European roots

Origin: + agein, to lead; see ag- in Indo-European roots

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