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subterfuge

Pronunciation: /ˈsʌbtəfjuːdʒ/

Translate subterfuge | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of subterfuge

noun

[mass noun]

deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal:he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions [count noun]:I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you

Origin:

late 16th century: from French, or from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere 'escape secretly', from subter- 'beneath' + fugere 'flee'