Noun

(uncountable) The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.

* 1924 , HE Wortham, A Musical Odyssey , p. 97:

Brahms, after realizing that the technique of the piano was developing along mistaken lines, and his own danger of stereotyping his style, keeps away from it for most of his middle age [...].

* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Catherine Clabby

, magazine=(American Scientist), title= Focus on Everything , passage=Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus. That’s because the lenses that are excellent at magnifying tiny subjects produce a narrow depth of field. A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that.}}

(uncountable) Practical ability in some given field or practice, often as opposed to creativity or imaginative skill.

* 2011 , "Bhimsen Joshi", The Economist , 3 Feb 2011:

Yet those who packed concert halls to listen to him sing, as Indians did for over six decades, rarely mentioned his technique .

(label) a method of achieving something or carrying something out, especially one requiring some skill or knowledge.

* 2011 , Paul Lewis & Matthew Taylor, The Guardian , 16 Mar 2011:

They said executives were warned about one technique nicknamed "carpet karaoke", which involved bending deportees over in aircraft seats to silence them.

Noun

(en noun)

Something designed to fool or swindle.

A single piece (or business) of a magician's (or any variety entertainer's) act.

An effective, clever or quick way of doing something.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.}}

Mischievous or annoying behavior; a prank.

the tricks of boys

(Prior)

(dated) A particular habit or manner; a peculiarity; a trait.

a trick''' of drumming with the fingers; a '''trick of frowning

* William Shakespeare, King Lear act IV, scene VI:

The trick of that voice I do well remember.

* William Shakespeare,King John Act I, scene I

He hath a trick of Cœur de Lion's face.

A knot, braid, or plait of hair.

(Ben Jonson)

(card games) A sequence in which each player plays a card and a winning play is determined.

* Alexander Pope

On one nice trick depends the general fate.

(slang) An act of prostitution. Generally used with turn .

(slang) A customer to a prostitute.

An entertaining difficult physical action.

A daily period of work, especially in shift-based jobs.

* 1885 , Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, The Conductor and Brakeman , page 496:

On third trick from 12 m. to 8 am, we have W. A. White, formerly operator at Wallula, who thus far has given general satisfaction.

* 1899 , New York (State), Bureau of Statistics, Deptartment of Labor, Annual Report :

Woodside Junction—On 8 hour basis, first trick' $60, second '''trick''' $60, third ' trick $50.

* 1949 , Labor arbitration reports , page 738:

The Union contends that Fifer was entitled to promotion to the position of Group Leader on the third trick in the Core Room Department.

(nautical) A sailor's spell of work at the helm, usually two hours long.

A toy; a trifle; a plaything.

(Shakespeare)