Strat"a*gem (?), n. [F.
stratagème (cf. Sp. estratagema, It.
stratagemma), L. strategema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to be
leader of an army, fr. ? a general; ? an army (probably as being
spread out; cf. Stratum) + ? to lead. See Agent.]
An artifice or trick in war for deceiving the enemy; hence, in
general, artifice; deceptive device; secret plot; evil
machination.
Fit for treasons, stratagems, and
spoils.
Shak.
Those oft are stratagems which error seem,
Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.
Pope.