Basic Details
Word: Artifice
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Clever tricks or strategies used to deceive or achieve a goal.
Synonyms: Deception, trickery, ingenuity
Antonyms: Honesty, straightforwardness, sincerity
Idioms and Phrases
- Artifice of war: Refers to clever methods used in battle or conflict. Example: "The general relied on the artifice of war to outsmart his enemies."
- In the artifice of things: The act of manipulating a situation to one's advantage. Example: "He was skilled in the artifice of things, always knowing how to get his way.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The magician used clever artifice to make the rabbit disappear from the hat.
Example 2: She employed a bit of artifice during the debate to sway opinions in her favour.
Example 3: The novel showed how the character's artifice ultimately led to both success and downfall.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "artifice" comes from the Latin word "artificium", which means "craftsmanship"? This shows how artifice can refer to not just trickery, but also skill in creating something clever.
Famous Quote
"The artifice of the crafty is often disguised as wisdom." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "artifice" mean?
a) A type of music
b) Clever tricks or strategies
c) A kind of animal
d) A scientific experiment
Answer: b) Clever tricks or strategies
2. Which of these is a synonym of "artifice"?
a) Honesty
b) Deception
c) Strength
d) Calmness
Answer: b) Deception
3. Which word is an antonym of "artifice"?
a) Ingenuity
b) Trickery
c) Sincerity
d) Creativity
Answer: c) Sincerity
4. Which sentence uses "artifice" correctly?
a) His artifice was to sing beautifully.
b) The artifice employed during the game was very clever.
c) The artifice was seen in her kindness.
d) She wrote an artifice about art.
Answer: b) The artifice employed during the game was very clever.
5. Which idiom relates to "artifice"?
a) In the artifice of things
b) As clear as mud
c) A stitch in time saves nine
d) Under the weather
Answer: a) In the artifice of things
