intrigue
/ˈɪntɹiːɡ/ noun C1- A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem; the practice of engaging in hidden schemes. · His betrayal was the beginning of a complex intrigue intended to give him control of the company.
- Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair. · I suspect Suzanne and her mysterious friend of being involved in an intrigue.
- The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters. · The story's intrigue was boring and reminiscent of a thousand better movies.
- A desire to understand something; interest or fascination. · Your idea has aroused my intrigue.
Plural intrigues
From the library
“Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that for some reason that passes my understanding my life is aimed at by the conspirators.
And yet those strange, peaked roofs and quaint, overhung gables were a fitting covering to grim and terrible intrigue.
“Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue.
It had struck me that it was possible that some love intrigue was on foot.
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