decoy

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)
  2. noun something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
  3. verb lure or entrap with or as if with a decoy

Etymology

From Dutch de + kooi, literally "the cage". Possibly related to verb coy (which itself may have been influenced by decoy).

In classic literature

Synonyms

steerer

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