stratagem

 
Pronunciation: /ˈstratədʒəm/

noun

  • a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end: a series of devious stratagems
  • [mass noun] archaic skill in devising plans or schemes; cunning.

Origin:

late 15th century (originally denoting a military ploy): from French stratagème, via Latin from Greek stratēgēma, from stratēgein 'be a general', from stratēgos, from stratos 'army' + agein 'to lead'