Category:Stalking-horse

Stalk"ing-horse, n.

1. A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a hunter Conceals himself from the game he is aiming to kill.

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