stratagem

noun

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.

1. A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.

   “Near-synonyms: ploy, ruse”

   “Tis pollicie and ſtratageme muſt doo / That you affect, and ſo muſt you reſolue, / That vvhat you cannot as you vvould atchiue, / You muſt perforce accompliſh as you may: […]”

2. Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.

   “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. Military deception or artifice.
4. Cunning and artifice in general.
5. A violent deed.