artifice
noun
Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially to trick or deceive; skill in devising or executing designs, sometimes with artful intent.
Etymology
From Latin "artificium" (craft, skill), from "artifex" (craftsman), from "ars" (art) + "facere" (to make). The shift from craft to craftiness reflects suspicion of too much skill.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The diplomat relied on artifice to avoid direct answers."
- 2.
"The magic trick depended on careful artifice and misdirection."
- 3.
"Literary artifice transforms raw experience into art."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The word's evolution from "skill" to "trickery" reflects ambivalence about expertise. Medieval craftsmen faced suspicion that their skills bordered on magic or deception—"too clever by half."
Word Game Tips
Letters: 8 letters (A, R, T, I, F, I, C, E)
Scrabble Value: 13 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "AR" at the start of words.
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