In law, shift; turn; trick; cavil; an abuse of judiciary proceedings, by artifices, unfair practices, or idle objections, which tend to perplex a cause, puzzle the judge, or impose on a party, and thus to delay or pervert justice.

In disputes, sophistry; distinctions and subtleties, that tend to perplex the question and obscure the truth.

Any artifice or stratagem.

To use shafts, cavils or artifices.