A ruse is a trick or stratagem intended to deceive someone. It involves a more elaborate process of deception than merely making a false claim, often through misdirection or distraction. Examples of ruses include a heartbroken young man sobbing that his girlfriend only pretended to love him to steal the family jewels, or a mandatory morning meeting at a company that is actually a ruse to get employees to show up early. The word "ruse" entered English in the early 15th century and originally referred to the movements which a hunted animal used to escape its pursuer.