Stalking-horse

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stalking-horse \Stalk"ing-horse`\ (st[add]k"[i^]ng-h[^o]rs`), n.
     1. A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a
        hunter conceals himself from the game he is aiming to
        kill.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. Fig.: Something used to cover up a secret project; a mask;
        a pretense.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Hypocrisy is the devil's stalking-horse under an
              affectation of simplicity and religion.
                                                    --L'Estrange.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              How much more abominable is it to make of him
              [Christ] and religion a stalking-horse, to get and
              enjoy the world!                      --Bunyan.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  stalking-horse
       n 1: a candidate put forward to divide the opposition or to mask
            the true candidate
       2: something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that
          is concocted in order to conceal the real reason [syn: {pretext}]
       3: screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a
          hunter hides while stalking game
       4: a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game