[sub.ter.fuge] n [LL subterfugium, fr. L subterfugere to escape, evade, fr. subter- secretly (fr. subter underneath; akin to L sub under) + fugere to flee--more at up, fugitive] (1573) 1: deception by artifice or stratagem in order to conceal, escape, or evade
2: a deceptive device or stratagem syn see deception