subterfuge

/ˈsəb-tər-ˌfyüj/

Late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere to escape, evade, from subter- secretly (from subter underneath; akin to Latin sub under) + fugere to flee

noun

  1. deception by artifice or stratagem in order to conceal, escape, or evade

  2. a deceptive device or stratagem

deception fraud double-dealing subterfuge trickery mean the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives. deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource. fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.