Inglês

artifice

gb/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/ us/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
C1 Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome formal C1 entity
1

a clever trick to deceive

a clever trick used to fool people

Padrão de uso: [an] artifice to [do something]; through/by artifice
Erro comum:
Often confused with artifact (an object) or artificial (not natural).
Sinónimos
trick (More general and everyday; less formal.) | ruse (Emphasizes a deceptive plan, often short-term.) | stratagem (Suggests a planned tactic, often in politics or conflict.)
Antónimos
honesty (Direct truthfulness rather than deception.) | candor (Open, frank speech with no attempt to mislead.)
Colocações
a clever artifice |a legal artifice |a political artifice |a marketing artifice |a transparent artifice |a calculated artifice |an artifice to avoid taxes |an artifice to gain time |through artifice |mere artifice
Temas
crime |politics |business |law |communication
Exemplos
  • The charity was a front—an artifice to move stolen money.
  • He used a legal artifice to delay the eviction for months.
  • Her sudden tears felt like an artifice designed to win sympathy.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • It was an artifice to confuse the public.
  • He saw through her artifice.
Nome formal C1 entity
2

a contrived device for effect

a technique that feels planned or not natural, used to create an effect

Padrão de uso: [adjective] artifice; the artifice of [a work/argument]
Erro comum:
In reviews, artifice often means “contrived technique,” not necessarily “a lie.”
Sinónimos
device (Neutral term for a technique; less critical in tone.) | contrivance (Often implies something forced or unnatural.) | gimmick (More informal; suggests a showy, attention-grabbing device.)
Antónimos
naturalism (A style aiming for natural, lifelike presentation rather than contrived effects.) | simplicity (Lack of elaborate technique or manipulation.)
Colocações
narrative artifice |literary artifice |dramatic artifice |cinematic artifice |a stylistic artifice |a structural artifice |a clever artifice |a clumsy artifice |an obvious artifice |a theatrical artifice
Temas
arts |media |literature |education |communication
Exemplos
  • The sudden amnesia felt like a narrative artifice rather than a believable twist.
  • The director uses a clever cinematic artifice to show two timelines at once.
  • She dismissed the comparison as a rhetorical artifice that distracts from the facts.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • Some readers dislike obvious artifice in stories.
Nome formal C1 property
3

insincere or affected behavior

behavior that is not sincere or is too carefully made

Padrão de uso: without artifice; beneath/behind the artifice of [something]
Erro comum:
This meaning is close to “pretence,” not “a physical object.”
Sinónimos
pretense (Directly focuses on pretending or putting on a false show.) | affectation (Emphasizes unnatural, performative manners or style.) | insincerity (General lack of genuine feeling or truth.)
Antónimos
sincerity (Genuine feeling without pretense.) | authenticity (Being real and true to oneself rather than performing.)
Colocações
social artifice |the artifice of politeness |the artifice of charm |beneath the artifice |behind the artifice |stripped of artifice |free of artifice |full of artifice |sheer artifice |polite artifice
Temas
emotions |relationships |communication |society
Exemplos
  • She spoke with a warmth that seemed free of artifice.
  • Behind the artifice of politeness, he was clearly irritated.
  • The interview was unusually direct, with very little artifice.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • I like her because she has no artifice.
Nome literary C2 property
4

skillful craftsmanship or workmanship

high skill in making something

Padrão de uso: the artifice of [a maker/craft]; [adjective] artifice
Erro comum:
In modern English this sense is less common; many listeners will first think of “deception.”
Sinónimos
craftsmanship (The most common modern word for skilled making.) | ingenuity (Focuses on cleverness in design or problem-solving.) | skill (Broader and more general.)
Antónimos
clumsiness (Lack of skill and control in making or doing.) | ineptitude (General inability or poor competence.)
Colocações
remarkable artifice |great artifice |traditional artifice |mechanical artifice |the artifice of the builder |the artifice of the maker |human artifice |craft and artifice
Temas
arts |design |work |history
Exemplos
  • The clock’s tiny gears reveal extraordinary artifice for its time.
  • The bridge is admired for the artifice of its construction.
  • Her embroidery shows patient artifice and precision.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
artifice
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
US/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
Sílabas e acento
ar - ti - fice (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Formas da palavra
Noun
  • Base: artifice
  • Plural: artifice, artifices
Família de palavras
Forms
artifices noun
Core family
artificial adjective A2 artificially adverb B2
Related words
artful adjective B2 artfully adverb artifact noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
artless adjective
Advanced or less common
artificiality noun
Expressões

with artifice

1
/wˈɪθ ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
fixed phrase formal

in a contrived or deceptive way

using tricks or an unnatural style

Exemplos
  • The product is presented with artifice, promising results it can’t deliver.
  • He told the story with artifice, leaving out the parts that made him look bad.
  • The scene is staged with artifice to heighten the tension.

without artifice

1
/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
fixed phrase formal

in a natural, sincere way

honestly and naturally, not pretending

Exemplos
  • She answered the question without artifice.
  • The memoir is written without artifice, and that honesty is its strength.
  • He greeted us without artifice, as if we were old friends.

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