ˈsəbtə(r)ˌfyüj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere to run away secretly, from subter- (from subter, adverb & preposition, secretly, under) + fugere to run away; akin to Latin sub, preposition, under, below, up — more at up , fugitive
1.
a. : deception by artifice or stratagem to conceal, escape, avoid, or evade
employing subterfuge to get her own way
b. : a deceptive device or stratagem
malingering or some other subterfuge is resorted to in order to save face — H.G.Armstrong
2. obsolete : a place of retreat or concealment : refuge
Synonyms: see deception