stratagem

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)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: […]”

   “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.”

   “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. (countable, uncountable)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. (uncountable)Military deception or artifice.
4. (uncountable)Cunning and artifice in general.
5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)A violent deed.