Subterfuge

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsÉ™btɹ̩ˌfjuːdÊ’/

Origin

Late 16th century. Directly or via French from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugio ("I flee secretly"), from subter ("under") and fugio ("I flee").

Full definition of subterfuge

Noun

1. (countable) An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a blind. Refers especially to war and politics.Overt subterfuge in a region nearly caused a minor accident.
• 2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over ManifestHow’s the spy hunt going? Uncovered any subterfuge?
• 2012-03, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, The British Longitude Act Reconsidered, But was it responsible governance to pass the Longitude Act without other efforts to protect British seamen? Or might it have been subterfuge—a disingenuous attempt to shift attention away from the realities of their life at sea.
2. (uncountable) Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.