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Added 9 October 2026

stratagem

/ˈstɹæt.ə.d͡ʒəm/ noun

In Latin: sūtēla, stratēgēma Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about stratagem at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.
Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.
Military deception or artifice.

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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