Stratagem

Definitions

1. A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.
   countable, uncountable
2. Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.
   countable, uncountable
3. Military deception or artifice.
   uncountable
4. Cunning and artifice in general.
   uncountable
5. A violent deed.
   countable, obsolete, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Near-synonyms: ploy, ruse”

“Tis pollicie and ſtratageme muſt doo / That you affect⟳, and ſo muſt you reſolue, / That vvhat you cannot as you vvould atchiue, / You muſt perforce accompliſh as you may: […]”

“She will not yet be permitted to return⟳ to the Manor House: it is too convenient for 'treasons, stratagems,' &c.; and it is as well not to be put⟳ in the way of temptation: but she will be allowed perfect liberty in London.”

“While Collins does include⟳ a love⟳ triangle, a coming-of-age story, and other YA-friendly elements in the mix⟳, they serve⟳ as a Trojan horse to smuggle readers into a hopeless world where love⟳ becomes a stratagem and growing up is a matter⟳ of basic survival.”

“His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth. As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme: Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts. To pull⟳ the triple headed dog from hell.”

CEFR level