Artifice: meaning, definitions and examples

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artifice

[ ˈɑːrtɪfɪs ]

^{Context #1}

deception

Artifice refers to clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others. It can also describe a skillful or ingenious device; a clever expedient or artful stratagem. Artifice can also refer to trickery or guile used to achieve a purpose.

Synonyms

deception, guile, stratagem, trickery

Examples of usage

His whole story was just an artifice to gain sympathy.
The magician amazed the audience with his artifice.

^{Context #2}

skill

Artifice can also refer to clever or skillful ingenuity; contrivance or craftiness. It can describe the cleverness or skill in creating or executing something.

Synonyms

cleverness, craftiness, ingenuity, skill

Examples of usage

The artist's work was a masterpiece of artifice and creativity.
She displayed great artifice in her approach to problem-solving.

Translations

Translations of the word "artifice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 artifício

truque
manha

🇮🇳 कपट

चाल
धूर्तता

🇩🇪 List

Kunstgriff
Täuschung

🇮🇩 tipu muslihat

akal
kelicikan

🇺🇦 хитрість

обман
підступність

🇵🇱 sztuczka

podstęp
fortel

🇯🇵 策略 (さくりゃく)

策 (さく)
ずるさ

🇫🇷 artifice

ruse
stratagème

🇪🇸 artificio

truco
astucia

🇹🇷 hile

aldatmaca
kurnazlık

🇰🇷 술책

꾀
교활함

🇸🇦 خداع

حيلة
دهاء

🇨🇿 trik

lest
úskok

🇸🇰 trik

úskok
klamstvo

🇨🇳 诡计 (guǐjì)

花招 (huāzhāo)
计谋 (jìmóu)

🇸🇮 trik

zvijača
prevara

🇮🇸 bragð

klækjabrögð
prevari

🇰🇿 айлакерлік

амал
қулық

🇬🇪 ეშმაკობა

თაღლითობა
ხრიკი

🇦🇿 hiylə

fənd
kələk

🇲🇽 artificio

truco
astucia

Word origin

The word 'artifice' comes from the Latin word 'artificium', which means 'a trade or skill'. It entered the English language in the 16th century with the meaning of 'a clever or artful skill'. Over time, it evolved to also include the sense of deception or trickery. The concept of artifice has been explored in various literary works and philosophical discussions, highlighting the dual nature of cleverness and deceit.