I. noun
Etymology: Middle English trikke, from Anglo-French *trik, from trikier to deceive, cheat, from Vulgar Latin *triccare, alteration of Latin tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, from tricae complications, trifles
Date: 15th century
1. a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud, a mischievous act ; prank , an indiscreet or childish action, a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat,
2. a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner , a characteristic and identifying feature , a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain ; an optical illusion ,
3. a. a quick or artful way of getting a result ; knack , an instance of getting a desired result , a technical device (as of an art or craft) , the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit,
5. a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours, shift 4b(1), a trip taken as part of one's employment, a sexual act performed by a prostitute , an attractive child or woman , Synonyms: see: trick
II. transitive verb
Date: circa 1500
to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately ; ornament , to deceive by cunning or artifice ; cheat ,
III. adjective
Date: circa 1530
trig ,
2. of or relating to or involving tricks or trickery , skilled in or used for tricks ,
3. somewhat defective and unreliable , inclined to give way unexpectedly