trick

Main Entry:: ¹trick
Pronunciation:: \ˈtrik\
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 tricks>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 tricks of stage technique>4: the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit5 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 tricks> ; also : john 26: 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>.

Learn more about "trick" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "trick" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols