noun

1. an action or device designed to deceive, cheat, outwit, etc.; artifice; dodge; ruse; stratagem
2. 1. a mischievous or playful act; prank, practical joke, etc.
   2. a deception or illusion the light played a trick on my eyes
3. a freakish, foolish, mean, or stupid act
4. a clever or difficult act intended to amuse; specif.,
   1. an act of jugglery or sleight of hand; also, an illusion of the kind created by legerdemain
   2. an action, feat, or routine performed by an animal as a result of training
5. any feat requiring skill
6. the art or knack of doing something easily, skillfully, quickly, etc. the trick of making good pastry
7. an expedient or convention of an art, craft, or trade to learn the tricks of the trade
8. a personal habit or mannerism a trick of tugging at the ear
9. a turn or round of duty or work; shift
10. ☆ Informal a child or girl, esp. one viewed as cute or pretty
11. Slang
    1. the act or an instance of performing sexual intercourse as a prostitute with a customer
    2. such a customer
12. Card Games the cards played and won in a single round

Etymology: ME trik < NormFr trique < trikier < OFr trichier, to trick, cheat, prob. < VL *triccare, altered < ? LL tricare, to deceive, for L tricari, to make trouble < tricae, vexations, tricks < IE *treik- < base *ter-, to turn, rub > throw

transitive verb

adjective

1. having to do with or used for a trick or tricks
2. that tricks
3. apt to malfunction; of uncertain reliability a trick knee