/ ˌmæʃɪˈneɪʃn; NAmE / noun
[ usually pl. ] ( disapproving ) a secret and complicated plan
SYN plot , intrigue
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Old French , or Latin machinatio- , from machinat- contrived, from machinari contrive, from machina , from Doric Greek makhana ( Greek mēkhanē , from mēkhos contrivance).