[ad. L. subterfugium, f. subterfugĕre, f. subter- SUBTER- (2) + fugĕre to flee. Cf. F. subterfuge, It. sutterfugio, Sp., Pg. subterfugio.]
1. An artifice or device to which a person resorts in order to escape the force of an argument, to avoid condemnation or censure, or to justify his conduct; an evasion or shift. Chiefly of discourse, argument, debate, but also of action in general.
1573. J. Tyrie, Refut., in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.), 29. I dout na thing, gif thay ansver directlie without all subterfuge,… that it salbe easie to everie man to espy quha defendis the richt caus.
1611. Cotgr., Subterfuge, a subterfuge; a shift; a priuie slip, craftie euasion, cunning escape.
1637–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 268. That no such subterfuge be left unto impious and wicked men.
1651. Charles II., Lett., 24 May, in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 42. That without delays or subterfuges the goods be restored.
1659. H. More, Immort. Soul, III. xiv. 475. The Fifth and last is rather a Subterfuge then an Objection.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., vii. 39. All their shifts, subtilties, newly invented Words and Modes, sly subterfuges and studyed evasions.
1741. Watts, Improv. Mind, I. x. (1801), 87. Do not affect little shifts and subterfuges to avoid the force of an argument.
1781. Cowper, Friendship, 189. No subterfuge or pleading Shall win my confidence again. Ibid. (1784), Task, II. 670. By forgery, by subterfuge of law.
1829. Lytton, Disowned, vi. By what subterfuge, or cavil, does the present claimant of these estates hope to dislodge their rightful possessor.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., x. 106. I speak here without any subterfuge.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 564. It was answered that the earl was asleep. The privy councillor thought that this was a subterfuge, and insisted on entering.
1895. Rider Haggard, Heart of World, xvi. I will answer you, and, scorning subterfuge or falsehood, set out the whole matter in the hearing of the people.
b. contextually: A means of escape (from censure, etc.); an excuse.
1755. Smollett, Quix. (1803), 122. You have no subterfuge, nor the least room to say you was deceived.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., II. xxxix. 377. The queen of Scots had no other subterfuge from these pressing remonstrances.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxiv. You seek but a subterfuge, that you may say when you are defeated … that it was for want of the number of your band fully counted out.
† 2. A place to which a person escapes; a retreat, refuge. Obs.
1616. Bullokar, Engl. Expos., Subterfuge,… a place to hide or saue one in.
1660. in Sel. Harl. Misc. (1793), 379. My lord of Derby had taken this place for a subterfuge, after the defeat given him by Colonel Lilburn.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Wars, 363. There were in the Castle Subterfuges and Scluces, to prevent the inraging [orig. iram] of the Enemy.
1737. Whiston, Josephus, II. VI. vii. 941. They depended on these under ground subterfuges.
fig. 1720. Welton, Suffer. Son of God, I. iv. 68. We have now a Subterfuge to flee to; under which, we are sure to be shelter’d from the Justice and Wrath of God.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, lxvi. VIII. 426. This proposal drove the senate out of its last subterfuge.
† 3. That which conceals; a ‘cloak.’ Obs.
1635. Brathwait, Arcadian Princ., 55. Connivence gives impunity to impiety, and greatnesse becomes a Subterfuge to guiltinesse.
a. 1718. Prior, Knowledge, 710. They … sculk behind the Subterfuge of Art.
1733. Cheyne, Eng. Malady, II. viii. § 3. 194. The Spleen or Vapours … is a common Subterfuge for meer Ignorance of the Nature of Distempers.
