Sub"ter*fuge (?), n. [F., from LL. subterfugium, fr. L. subterfugere to flee secretly, to escape; subter under + fugere to flee. See Fugitive.] That to which one resorts for escape or concealment; an artifice employed to escape censure or the force of an argument, or to justify opinions or conduct; a shift; an evasion.

Affect not little shifts and subterfuges, to avoid the force of an argument.

By a miserable subterfuge, they hope to render this position safe by rendering it nugatory.

Sub"ter*fuge (?), n. [F., from LL. subterfugium, fr. L. subterfugere to flee secretly, to escape; subter under + fugere to flee. See Fugitive.] That to which one resorts for escape or concealment; an artifice employed to escape censure or the force of an argument, or to justify opinions or conduct; a shift; an evasion.

Affect not little shifts and subterfuges, to avoid the force of an argument.

By a miserable subterfuge, they hope to render this position safe by rendering it nugatory.

• An indirect or deceptive device or strategem; a blind. Refers especially to war and politics.
       The Japanese's subterfuge in World War II caused the Americans to lose the battle.