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cunning

noun [U]
 
 
/ˈkʌn.ɪŋ/

Definition

the quality or skill of being clever at planning something so you get what you want, especially by tricking other people: We need to show a bit of cunning if we want to trick the enemy.Sly and devious
(Definition of cunning noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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