artifice

Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

ar·ti·fice (ärʹtə-fĭs)n.
1. An artful or crafty expedient; a stratagem. See Synonyms at wile.
2. Subtle but base deception; trickery.
3. Cleverness or skill; ingenuity. [French, from Old French, craftsmanship, from Latin artificium, from artifex, artific-, craftsman : ars, art-, art; see art¹ + -fex, maker; See dhē- in Indo-European Roots.]