[trick] n [ME trik, fr. ONF trique, fr. trikier to deceive, cheat, fr. (assumed) VL triccare, alter. of L tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, fr. tricae complications, trifles] (15c) 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; esp: one designed to puzzle or amuse "a juggler's ~s"
2. a: a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner "a horse with the ~ of shying" b: a characteristic and identifying feature "a ~ of speech" c: a delusive appearance esp. when caused by art or legerdemain: an optical illusion "a mere ~ of the light" 3 a: a quick or artful way of getting a result: knack b: a technical device (as of an art or craft) "the ~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 usu. 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; also: john 2
6: an attractive child or woman "a cute little ~" syn 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".
[2]trick vt (ca. 1500) 1: to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately: ornament "~ed out in a gaudy uniform"
2: to deceive by cunning or artifice: cheat syn see dupe [3]trick adj (ca. 1530) 1: trig
2. a: of or relating to or involving tricks or trickery "~ photography" "~ dice" b: skilled in or used for tricks "a ~ horse" 3 a: somewhat defective and unreliable "a ~ lock" b: inclined to give way unexpectedly "a ~ knee"