Ruse \Ruse\, n. [F., fr. OF. re["u]ser, rehuser, to turn aside, to shuffle, retreat, fr. L. recusare to refuse; pref. re- again + causa cause. See {Cause}, and cf. {Recusant}.] An artifice; trick; stratagem; wile; fraud; deceit. {Ruse de guerre}[F.], a stratagem of war.