stratagem

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word stratagem. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word stratagem, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say stratagem in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word stratagem you have here. The definition of the word stratagem will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofstratagem, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From Middle English stratageme, from Old French stratageme, from Latin strategema, from Ancient Greek στρατήγημα (stratḗgēma, “the act of a general, a piece of generalship”), from στρατηγέω (stratēgéō, “to be a general, command an army”), from στρατηγός (stratēgós, “a general, the leader or commander of an army”). See strategy.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈstɹæt.ə.d͡ʒəm/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

stratagem (countable and uncountable, plural stratagems)

  1. A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.
    Near-synonyms: ploy, ruse
    • 1837, L E L, “A Friend at Court”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. , volume II, London: Henry Colburn, , →OCLC, page 265:
      She will not yet be permitted to return to the Manor House: it is too convenient for 'treasons, stratagems,' &c.; and it is as well not to be put in the way of temptation: but she will be allowed perfect liberty in London.
    • 2012 March 22, Scott Tobias, AV Club, The Hunger Games‎:
      While Collins does include a love triangle, a coming-of-age story, and other YA-friendly elements in the mix, they serve as a Trojan horse to smuggle readers into a hopeless world where love becomes a stratagem and growing up is a matter of basic survival.
  2. Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.
    • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part , 2nd edition, part 1, London: Richard Iones, , published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
      His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth.
      As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme:
      Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts.
      To pull the triple headed dog from hell.
  3. (uncountable) Military deception or artifice.
  4. (uncountable) Cunning and artifice in general.
  5. (obsolete) A violent deed.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • “stratagem”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Old French

Etymology

From Latin strategema, from Ancient Greek στρατήγημα (stratḗgēma).

Noun

stratagem oblique singular, m (oblique plural stratagens, nominative singular stratagens, nominative plural stratagem)

  1. strategy; stratagem
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia