Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Late Latin
Origin: subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere 'to escape', from subter- 'secretly' + fugere 'to run away'

subterfuge

 noun
     
sub‧ter‧fuge [uncountable and countable]
formal a secret trick or slightly dishonest way of doing something, or the use of this
by subterfuge
Sereni was lured to Moscow by subterfuge.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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