kənzˈpirəsē, -nˈsp-, -si noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English conspiracie, alteration (influenced by -cie -cy) of conspiracioun — more at conspiration
1.
a. : an illegal, treasonable, or treacherous plan to harm or destroy another person, group, or entity
the conspiracy to murder Caesar
his theory of the trade-union movement as a conspiracy against the unorganized worker — L.A.Fiedler
b. : an agreement manifesting itself in words or deeds and made by two or more persons confederating to do an unlawful act or use unlawful means to do an act which is lawful : confederacy
2. : a combination of persons banded secretly together and resolved to accomplish an evil or unlawful end
a conspiracy made up of storm troopers and disgruntled aristocrats
3. : a striking concurrence of tendencies, circumstances, or phenomena as though in planned accord
the portentous conspiracy of night and solitude and silence — Ambrose Bierce
Synonyms: see plot