A trick or deception performed from behind, or a cunning maneuver executed in an unexpected way.
From 'back' (Old English bæc) + 'trick' (from Middle English trike, meaning cunning or deception). A compound with unclear historical usage in modern standard English.
This is a wonderfully archaic-sounding word that appears mainly in historical texts about deception and stage magic—the 'back' element suggests surprise by attacking or fooling someone from behind their awareness.
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