artifice
/'ɑ:tifis/
Definition
Noun: 1. A clever trick or scheme intended to deceive or achieve an advantage: An action or device that is cunning, crafty, and often dishonest. 2. (Formal/Literary) Cleverness or skill, especially in inventing or making things: Ingenious or artful skill.
Usage
- As a noun, "artifice" is typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe a deceptive trick or a display of clever ingenuity.
- It often carries a negative connotation of deceit, but can be neutral when referring to skill or craftsmanship.
- Common collocations include:
Examples
Referring to a deceptive trick:
- The spy used every artifice to avoid detection.
- His claim of innocence was just an artifice to gain our sympathy.
- The contract was full of legal artifices designed to confuse the signatory.
Referring to clever skill or invention (less common):
- The watchmaker's artifice was evident in the intricate design of the timepiece.
- The novel is a work of literary artifice, carefully constructed to manipulate the reader's emotions.
Advanced Usage
- "Without artifice": Used to describe someone or something that is genuine, sincere, and not deceptive.
- She spoke with a refreshing lack of artifice.
- "A mere artifice": Emphasizes that something is only a trick and not real or substantial.
- Their display of unity was a mere artifice for the cameras.
Variants and Related Words
- Artificial (adj): Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally; not genuine or sincere. (e.g., ).
- Artificer (n): (Archaic) A skilled craftsman or inventor.
Synonyms
- Trick: A cunning act or scheme intended to deceive.
- Ruse: An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
- Stratagem: A plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent.
- Subterfuge: Deceit used to achieve one's goal.
- Wile: A deceitful trick.
Antonyms
- Honesty: The quality of being truthful and sincere.
- Candor: The quality of being open and honest.
- Artlessness: The quality of being natural and without deception.
Noun
-
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
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