Main Entry: strat·a·gem

Pronunciation: \ˈstra-tə-jəm, -ˌjem\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian stratagemma, from Latin strategema, from Greek stratēgēma, from stratēgein to be a general, maneuver, from stratēgos general, from stratos camp, army (akin to Latin stratus, past participle, spread out) + agein to lead — more at stratum, agent

Date: 15th century

1 a : an artifice or trick in war for deceiving and outwitting the enemy b : a cleverly contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end
2 : skill in ruses or trickery

synonyms see trick