perfidy

1. (international law, in warfare) An illegitimate act of deception, such as using symbols like the Red Cross or white flag in a false claim of surrender to gain proximity to an enemy for purposes of attack.Examples: "Stratagems must be carefully distinguished strategy from perfidy, since the former are allowed, whereas the latter is prohibited."; "Abuse of a protective emblem amounts to perfidy and constitutes a war crime under the customary law of armed conflict."; "Ruses of war are legitimate so long as they do not involve treachery or perfidy on the part of the belligerent resorting to them."countableuncountable