feint

FEINT, n.

1. An assumed or false appearance; a pretense of doing something not intended to be done.

Courtley's letter is but a feint to get off.

2. A mock attack; an appearance of aiming at one part when another is intended to be struck. In fencing, a show of making a thrust at one part, to deceive an antagonist, when the intention is to strike another part.

FEINT, a. or pp. Counterfeit; seeming. [Not used.]