complot

Complot is a noun meaning a secret plan by a group to commit wrongdoing, typically involving deceit or covert coordination. It is essentially synonymous with conspiracy or plot, with an emphasis on secrecy and collusion among participants. The term is used in several Romance languages, where it functions as a standard word for such schemes; in English, complot is much rarer and mostly found in historical, literary, or translated texts. In contemporary English, conspiracy or plot is generally preferred.

Etymology and cognates: The word originates in the French complot; cognate forms appear in Spanish (complot), Italian (complotto), Portuguese (complot), and other languages. In many contexts, these cognates retain the sense of a clandestine scheme. The related French verb is comploter, meaning “to plot.”

Usage in English: When used, complot typically appears in descriptions of past events, legal translations, or scholarly writing to reflect non-English sources. It is not common in normal, modern prose and can sound archaic or formal. In everyday discourse, conspiracy or plot is favored.

See also: Conspiracy, Plot, Conspiracy theory.