complot
Pronunciation
  • (noun) IPA: /ˈkɒmˌplɒt/
  • (verb) IPA: /kəmˈplɒt/
Noun

complot (plural complots)

  1. (archaic) A plot (involving more than one person), conspiracy
    • circa 1582–1592 Thomas Kyd, The Spanish Tragedie, Act 3, Scene 2:
      LOR. Now to confirme the complot thou hast cast
      Of all these practices, Ile spread the watch,
      Vpon precise commandement from the king
      Strongly to guard the place where Pedringano
      This night shall murder haples Serberine.
    • circa 1588–1593 William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, Act 5, Scene 1:
      AARON: […] / For I must talk of murders, rapes, and massacres,
      Acts of black night, abominable deeds,
      Complots of mischief, treason, villainies,
      Ruthful to hear, yet piteously perform'd: / […]
    • 1918, Christopher Morley, The Haunted Bookshop, Grosset & Dunlap 1919, page 164:
      The young advertising agent stood against the fence in silent horror, his heart bumping heavily. His hands were clammy, his feet seemed to have grown larger and taken root. What damnable complot was this?
Verb

complot (complots, present participle complotting; past and past participle complotted)

  1. (archaic, ambitransitive) To plot together; conspire.
    • 1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II, Act 1, Scene 1:
      BOLINGBROKE. […] Besides, I say and will in battle prove,
      Or here, or elsewhere to the furthest verge
      That ever was survey'd by English eye,
      That all the treasons for these eighteen years
      Complotted and contrived in this land,
      Fetch from false Mowbray their first head and spring.
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