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# stratagem

noun (a stratagem, stratagems)

«stratagem» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A clever plan or trick to get what you want or to fool an enemy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#m1)

### In the lessons

A word for plans in stories, games and history. In The Wind in the Willows Badger's stratagem is to enter Toad Hall by the secret tunnel while the weasels feast; Toad uses many stratagems to escape prison. The Trojan Horse was a famous stratagem in Greek legend. In chess and sport, a stratagem is a smart plan.

### Examples

- The secret tunnel was Badger's stratagem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x1)
- The Trojan Horse was a famous stratagem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x2)
- Toad's stratagem was to dress as a washerwoman. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x3)
- The fox used a stratagem to get the cheese. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x4)
- Her chess stratagem surprised her older brother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x5)
- The general thought of a stratagem to cross the river. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x6)
- It is wiser for me to resort to stratagem and come upon my enemies unawares. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/#x7)

### Note

Countable noun, a bit formal. Spelling: strat-a-gem (not -egy). Related but different: «strategy» (a long plan); a stratagem is one clever trick.

## In Jewish tradition

In Daniel, it means skill in cunning plots and tricks, used by a fierce king.

**Interpretation.** Tradition often reads this vision as being about the Greek ruler Antiochus, who persecuted the Jews. It is also read as a warning about later tyrants.

### Examples

- And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have completed their transgression, there shall stand up a king of fierce countenance, and understanding stratagems. (Writings DAN.8.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stratagem/#x1)

### Note

Countable noun, a bit formal. Spelling: strat-a-gem (not -egy). Related but different: «strategy» (a long plan); a stratagem is one clever trick.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «stratagem» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stratagem/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«stratagem» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/stratagem.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «stratagem» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stratagem/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«stratagem» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/stratagem.html) on Mova free.