n.
Pronunciation: ' trik
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English trikke, from Anglo-French *trik, from trikier to deceive, cheat, from Vulgar Latin *triccare, alteration of Latin tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, from tricae complications, trifles
Date: 15th century
1 a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud b : a mischievous act : PRANK c : an indiscreet or childish action d : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse <a juggler's trick s >
2 a : a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner <a horse with the trick of shying> b : a characteristic and identifying feature <a trick of speech> c : a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion <a mere trick of the light>
3 a (1) : a quick or artful way of getting a result : KNACK <the trick is to make it look natural> (2) : an instance of getting a desired result <one small adjustment will do the trick > b : a technical device (as of an art or craft) <the trick s of stage technique>
4 : the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit
5 a : a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours b : SHIFT 4B(1) c : a trip taken as part of one's employment d : a sexual act performed by a prostitute <turning trick s > also : JOHN 2
6 : an attractive child or woman <a cute little trick >
synonyms TRICK , RUSE , STRATAGEM , MANEUVER , ARTIFICE , WILE , FEINT mean an indirect means to gain an end. TRICK may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end <the tricks of the trade>. RUSE stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression <the ruses of smugglers>. STRATAGEM implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy <the stratagem -filled game>. MANEUVER suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty <last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy>. ARTIFICE implies ingenious contrivance or invention <the clever artifices of the stage>. WILE suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements <used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself>. FEINT implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent <a feint toward the enemy's left flank>.