artifice — clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɑːrtɪfɪs/
Example Sentences
- The magician's performance was pure artifice, but the audience loved every moment.
- His smile was full of artifice - like a car salesman who just spotted a rich customer.
- She spoke with such artifice that even her compliments felt like insults.
artifice
NOUN[/ˈɑːrtɪfɪs/]
clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others
The magician's artifice fooled the entire audience into believing the impossible.
ARTI (craft/skill) + FICE (to make) — by using incredible ARTI (skill) to FICE (make) a deceptive mechanical illusion, the inventor baffled the crowd with his artifice.
Working quietly inside the royal office, he designed a towering stone edifice with a secret escape door hidden by pure artifice.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'artificium' meaning craft or craftsmanship, derived from 'artifex' (craftsman), which combines 'ars' (art/craft) and 'facere' (to make). The word evolved to encompass the idea of skillful deception or cunning devices.
Breakdown
Latin 'ars' (art/craft) + 'facere' (to make) = 'artifex' (craftsman) + '-ium' (noun suffix) = 'artificium' (craft/cunning device) > English 'artifice'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The magician's performance was pure artifice, but the audience loved every moment.”
“His smile was full of artifice - like a car salesman who just spotted a rich customer.”
“She spoke with such artifice that even her compliments felt like insults.”
“The marketing campaign was a masterpiece of artifice, making people want things they didn't need.”
📚Related Words
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