Decoys

/ˈdiːkɔɪz/ noun

Definition

Objects or people used to trick or distract others, especially in hunting, fishing, or military strategy.

Etymology

From Dutch 'de kooi' meaning 'the cage' or 'the trap.' Dutch hunters used decoys in cages to trap ducks, and the term entered English during the 1600s.

Kelly Says

Decoys are so effective that during World War II, the Allies created a fake military unit in England with inflatable tanks and fake radio signals to trick the Nazis into thinking the invasion was coming from a different location.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.