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.

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Example Sentences

"Why, I thought you knew I had to go to the Borough!" began a fretful voice, forestalling reproach, and a buxom woman resplendent with black satin and much jewellery came up the tiny garden-path.

From Ghetto Tragedies by Zangwill, Israel

Olivia felt as if she were dreaming as she followed the little procession down the dark garden-path.

From Doctor Luttrell's First Patient by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

Just across the garden-path was a fine bed of feathery asparagus, separated from the rest of the garden by a low wooden border about two inches high.

From In Story-land by Harrison, Elizabeth

In the evening, when the milk had been cared for, Habermann walked with his sister along the garden-path, and she spoke of his, and he of her, troubles.

From Seed-time and Harvest A Novel by Reuter, Fritz

Wilhelmine walked away down the garden-path, desiring apparently to commune with herself.

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