decoy

Pronunciation: /ˈdiːkɔɪ/

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

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
deceiver, accomplice
Narrower (hyponyms)
shill, roper

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