gimmick

Etymology

Unknown. Possibly a rough anagram of magic or from gimme.

noun

1. A trick or device used to attain some end.
   The box had a gimmick to make the coin appear to vanish.
   Epperlein and Tucker focus on two featherweight hopefuls: Dustin Poirier, a formidable contender who’s looking to parlay a history of schoolyard violence and street-fighting into a potential career, and Albert Stainback, a more thoughtful yet more erratic and undisciplined fighter whose chief gimmick is entering the ring wearing a hat like the one Malcolm McDowell wore in A Clockwork Orange. April 19 2012, Scott Tobias, “Fightville”, in AV Club
   Rear Admiral Mikhailovich: I don't begrudge the politicians' decision to throw you to the Council. It's an... opportunity. I do begrudge this overdesigned piece of tin, though. Shepard: The Normandy is a fine ship, sir. She's served us well so far. Rear Admiral Mikhailovich: It's a gimmick, Commander. Useless in a stand-up fight. Rear Admiral Mikhailovich: This experiment diverted billions from our apportions bills. For the same price, we could've had a heavy cruiser. 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel
2. A clever ploy or strategy.
   The contest was a gimmick to get people to sign up for their mailing list.
3. (electronics) A gimmick capacitor.
4. (Philippines) A night out with one's friends.

verb

1. To rig or set up with a trick or device.
   The magician's box was gimmicked with a wire that made it appear to open on its own.