Decoy ( noun , verb )

(As a noun)

Decoy ( noun )

1. A bird or animal used to lure others of its kind into a trap or within range of a hunter's gun.
2. A person or thing used to lure someone into a trap or false sense of security.

Origin:

Late 16th century (as a verb): from dutch de kooi "the cage," from the noun kooi "cage," used to trap wildfowl.

Examples:

1. The hunters set up a decoy to attract the ducks.
2. The police used a decoy to catch the thief.
3. The decoy was an attractive woman who the suspect thought he was going to meet.
4. The decoy duck was used to lure the other ducks close to the hunters.
5. The decoy was a fake email that seemed to be from a friend, but was actually a phishing attempt.

(As a verb)

Decoy ( verb )

1. A bird or animal used to lure others of its kind into a trap or within range of a hunter's gun.
2. A person or thing used to lure someone into a trap or false sense of security.

Origin:

Late 16th century (as a verb): from dutch de kooi "the cage," from the noun kooi "cage," used to trap wildfowl.

Examples:

1. The hunters set up a decoy to attract the ducks.
2. The police used a decoy to catch the thief.
3. The decoy was an attractive woman who the suspect thought he was going to meet.
4. The decoy duck was used to lure the other ducks close to the hunters.
5. The decoy was a fake email that seemed to be from a friend, but was actually a phishing attempt.