machination
noun/ˌmækɪˈneɪʃən/ · /ˌmæʃɪˈneɪʃən/
Etymology From Middle English machynacion, machynacyon, from Middle French machination and directly Latin māchinātiōnem, from māchinor (“devise, invent”). By surface analysis, machinate + -ion or machine + -ation.
1
In plural A clever scheme or artful plot, usually crafted for evil purposes.
- Machinations, hollowneſſe, treacherie, and all ruinous diſorders follow vs diſquietly to our Graues.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 286, column 2:
- He witnessed her palpitating bosom, the lifeless hues and disconsolate expression of her interesting countenance; yet, from the machinations of his evil passions, he would have proceeded further, until, entirely overcome, he had seen her drop motionless in her chair, in order that he might have the luxury of supporting her within his arms, and of recalling her to a sense of life and being.1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter IV, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 37:
1 more example
- PATRICK: The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma.2001 September 7, Walt Dohrn, Paul Tibbitt, Merriwether Williams, “The Secret Box”, in SpongeBob SquarePants:
2
The act of machinating or plotting.
- Derived terms
- countermachination