artifice
UK[ˈɑːtɪfɪs]US[ˈɑːrtɪfɪs]
n
the use of clever and often dishonest methods to deceive or trick people
n
a clever device or object, especially one that is not what it appears to be
Morpheme Breakdown
arti
fice
arti
skill
fice
make, do
Etymology
the word artifice entered english in the late 16th century from french, which derived it from latin 'artificium'. this latin noun was formed from the combination of 'artifex', meaning a craftsman or artist, itself built from 'ars' (skill, art) and the root of 'facere' (to make). the literal meaning, therefore, is "something made with skill" or "the work of a craftsman." over time, the connotation shifted from neutral craftsmanship to the skillful use of cunning and deception, reflecting a cultural association between clever making and trickery. this evolution highlights how a term for skilled production can acquire a negative sense when the skill is applied to deceitful ends.
Analysis
Structure: arti (skill) + fice (make, do)
arti is from latin 'ars, artis' meaning skill, art, craft. fice is from latin 'facere' meaning to make, to do.
Examples
the deal was secured more by artifice and flattery than by honest negotiation.
the special effects in the film were a marvel of technical artifice.
he saw through the artifice of her pretended innocence.