artifice

Definitions

art (skill) + -fice (the noun form of fac, 'making') = 'skillful making.' Originally a neutral word for craftsmanship; it drifted toward the negative — skill used to deceive, contrivance.

Why It Means This

Artifice is craft turned suspicious. The same root that gives 'artisan' (an honest maker) here implies a maker of illusions: stage effects, polished manners, or outright trickery designed to fool you.

Common Collocations

• 1.clever artifice巧妙的花招
• 2.without artifice毫不做作
• 3.stage artifice舞台手法

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The whole scene was created through clever stage artifice.

• 2.

  She won them over with no artifice, just plain honesty.

• 3.

  His charm concealed a good deal of artifice.