TRICK

I. 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 crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud, a mischievous act ; prank , an indiscreet or childish action, a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat, 2. a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner , a characteristic and identifying feature , a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain ; an optical illusion , 3. a. a quick or artful way of getting a result ; knack , an instance of getting a desired result , a technical device (as of an art or craft) , the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit, 5. a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours, shift 4b(1), a trip taken as part of one's employment, a sexual act performed by a prostitute , an attractive child or woman , Synonyms: see: ~ II. transitive verb Date: circa 1500 to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately ; ornament , to deceive by cunning or artifice ; cheat , III. adjective Date: circa 1530 trig , 2. of or relating to or involving ~s or ~ery , skilled in or used for ~s , 3. somewhat defective and unreliable , inclined to give way unexpectedly