decoy etymology

Etymology:

• Early 17th century: probably from obsolete Middle French decoy, from Old French a decoi, "to call out, entice," from Vulgar Latin decoiare, from Latin decoquere, "to boil down," probably because bird-decoys were originally boiled down to produce a liquid used as a lure.

Meaning:

• Something used to lure or distract an opponent or enemy, especially a simulated or artificial object designed to mislead or confuse.
• A person or thing intended to draw attention away from something else.

Origin:

The use of decoys in warfare and hunting has been practiced for centuries. In the 17th century, the term "decoy" became associated with wooden or artificial bird-decoys used to lure wild birds into shooting range. The etymology of the word suggests that these decoys may have been made from boiled-down bird carcasses, which would have produced a strong scent that attracted birds.

Over time, the term "decoy" expanded to encompass any object or person used to deceive or mislead an adversary. In warfare, decoys can be used to simulate enemy positions, confuse enemy radar, or draw fire away from critical targets. In espionage, decoys can be used to misdirect enemy agents or protect sensitive information.

decoy relate terms

• deke

  Etymology The word deke has an uncertain origin but there are two main theories Dut

• decoy

  Etymology Early 17th century probably from obsolete Middle French decoy from Old Fren

• accumulate

  Etymology Latin accumulare to heap up amass Latin ad to cumulare to heap

• accumulation

  Etymology Latin accumulare meaning to heap up pile up amass Variant of acervus

• cave

  Etymology Cave originates from the Latin word cavea which means a hollowed out spac

• cavern

  Etymology The word cavern comes from the Latin word caverna which in turn comes fro

• cavity

  Etymology The word cavity comes from the Latin word cavitas which means a hollow sp

• coeliac

  Etymology coeliac from Greek koilia belly stomach Meaning Relating to or aff

• church

  Etymology The English word church originates from the Old English word cirice which

• coelacanth

  Etymology Coelacanth is derived from the Greek words koilos meaning hollow or cav

• coeliac

  Etymology coeliac from Greek koilia belly stomach Meaning Relating to or aff

• coelomate

  Etymology The word coelomate is derived from two Greek roots κοῖλος koilos

• concave

  Etymology The word concave comes from the Latin word concavus meaning hollowed out

• cumulate

  Etymology The word cumulate comes from the Latin word cumulare which means to heap

• cumulative

  Etymology Meaning and Origin Cumulative derives from the Latin word cumulare meanin

• cumulus

  Etymology The word cumulus is derived from the Latin word cumulus meaning heap or

• enceinte

  Etymology French enceinte Latin incinta from in in cincta girded Meanin

• excavate

  Etymology The word excavate originates from the Latin verb excavare meaning to hol

• kirk

  Etymology The name Kirk is derived from the Old English word cirice meaning church

• kymatology

• bait

  Etymology Middle English baite from Anglo Norman bait diminutive of Old Norse beita

• lure

  Etymology The word lure comes from the Middle English word lure which in turn comes

• stall

  Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

• toll

  Etymology The word toll comes from the Middle English word tol which in turn derive

• shill

  Etymology The word shill is ultimately derived from the Yiddish word shidler meanin

• teach

  Etymology Definition The study of the origin development and meaning of words Origin

• rule

  Etymology Derived from the Old French word reule which in turn comes from the Latin

• much

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true s

• tempt

  Etymology Middle English tempten from Anglo Norman French tempter from Latin temptar