garden-path

American  

[gahr-dn-path, -pahth] / ˈgɑr dnˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a sentence that is easily parsed incorrectly because its beginning suggests it has an interpretation that it clearly does not have.

---

Example Sentences

The movement of your hands is the long, golden running of light from a rising sun; It is the hopping of birds upon a garden-path.

From American Poetry, 1922 A Miscellany by Various

He led her up the dark garden-path and into the glitter of lights in the ante-hall of the Lusthaus, where Madame de Stafforth stood ready to depart, waiting for Wilhelmine.

From A German Pompadour Being the Extraordinary History of Wilhelmine van Grävenitz, Landhofmeisterin of Wirtemberg by Hay, Marie, Hon. (Agnes Blanche Marie)

The two stooping figures went down the garden-path, with Rob’s stalwart form towering behind, and the three women who loved them watched from the window, and murmured benedictions in their hearts.

From More About Peggy by Unknown

Love now sat with us at board and hearth; something unknown lingered at twilight-time in the shadow of the room, and morn and eve a charmed presence haunted every garden-path and bower.

From Daisy Burns (Volume 2) by Kavanagh, Julia

Wandering with the children down the garden-path, idly she plucked a red rose and laid its cheek against a white one already in her hand.

From A Warwickshire Lad The Story of the Boyhood of William Shakespeare by Martin, George Madden