cunning+contrivance
81artifice — n. 1 a clever device; a contrivance. 2 a cunning. b an instance of this. 3 skill, dexterity. Etymology: F f. L artificium f. ars artis art, ficium making f. facere make …
82ar|ti|fice — «AHR tuh fihs», noun. 1. a clever device; trick; ruse: »She will use any artifice to get her own way. SYNONYM(S): maneuver, contrivance. See syn. under stratagem. (Cf. ↑stratagem) 2. trickery; …
