stratagem
part of speech
noun (a stratagem, stratagems)
meaning for a pupil
A clever plan or trick to get what you want or to fool an enemy. tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: In Daniel, it means skill in cunning plots and tricks, used by a fierce king. Interpretation: Tradition often reads this vision as being about the Greek ruler Antiochus, who persecuted the Jews. It is also read as a warning about later tyrants. In the primary lessons: A word for plans in stories, games and history. In The Wind in the Willows Badger's stratagem is to enter Toad Hall by the secret tunnel while the weasels feast; Toad uses many stratagems to escape prison. The Trojan Horse was a famous stratagem in Greek legend. In chess and sport, a stratagem is a smart plan.
examples
- And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have completed their transgression, there shall stand up a king of fierce countenance, and understanding stratagems. (Writings DAN.8.23, JPS 1917) tree →
- The secret tunnel was Badger's stratagem. tree →
- The Trojan Horse was a famous stratagem. tree →
- Toad's stratagem was to dress as a washerwoman. tree →
- The fox used a stratagem to get the cheese. tree →
- Her chess stratagem surprised her older brother. tree →
- The general thought of a stratagem to cross the river. tree →
- It is wiser for me to resort to stratagem and come upon my enemies unawares. tree →
note
Countable noun, a bit formal. Spelling: strat-a-gem (not -egy). Related but different: «strategy» (a long plan); a stratagem is one clever trick.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «stratagem» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.