artifice

American  

[ahr-tuh-fis] / ˈɑr tə fɪs /

noun

1. a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile.

   Synonyms:

   subterfuge

2. trickery; guile; craftiness.

   Synonyms:

   duplicity , art , deceit , deception

3. cunning; ingenuity; inventiveness.

   a drawing-room comedy crafted with artifice and elegance.

4. a skillful or artful contrivance or expedient.

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artifice British  

/ ˈɑːtɪfɪs /

noun

1. a clever expedient; ingenious stratagem

2. crafty or subtle deception

3. skill; cleverness

4. a skilfully contrived device

5. obsolete  craftsmanship

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Related Words

See trick. See cunning.

Etymology

Origin of artifice

1525–35; < Anglo-French < Latin artificium craftsmanship, art, craftiness, equivalent to arti-, combining form of ars art ¹ + -fic-, combining form of facere to do ¹, make + -ium + -ium

Example Sentences

At the same time, the shameless artifice would seem to be Mr. Johnson’s intent.

From The Wall Street Journal

The film builds to Jay, stripped of much of his artifice and trappings, finally receiving his award, which includes a tribute reel.

From Los Angeles Times

Like John le Carré, he creates his own jargon: safe houses are “coops,” spycraft is “artifice,” freelance agents are “units” and deep-cover moles are “termites.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The story is told in the form of letters and emails, an artifice rarely embraced by readers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The movie star’s mask of artifice briefly vanishes, and all that’s left is a puppy dog look of yearning, a sad acceptance that it’s too late to change certain things.

From Salon

Related Words

• contrivance
• gimmick