English Lexicon

Ruse

/ruːz/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #7200 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.

    "The magician's ruse left the audience in awe as they tried to figure out how he performed the illusion."
  2. 2

    A clever or cunning plan or scheme.

    "His ruse to win the game involved misleading his opponents into thinking he was out of moves."

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Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old French verb ruser, meaning 'to dodge, use trickery, or put off the scent', which likely traces back to Latin recusare 'to refuse or make objection'. Over centuries, the term shifted from hunting terminology regarding animals throwing hounds off their track into a general noun for any strategic trick or deception.

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