intriger

Intriger is a term used in several Scandinavian languages, notably Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, to denote plots, schemes, or secret maneuvers intended to influence outcomes. As a plural noun, intriger corresponds to the English word intrigues or schemes. In context it typically refers to political, social, or organizational maneuvering that takes place behind the scenes.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French intrigue, which in turn comes from Latin intricare meaning “to entangle.” Because of this lineage, intriger shares roots with the English word intrigue. The Scandinavian forms were borrowed through contact with French and English.

Usage: Intriger is commonly employed when describing conflicts or power dynamics, such as rival factions within a government, a corporation, or a social group. The term can carry neutral or negative connotations depending on context, sometimes implying deceit or manipulation, but it can also refer to curious or harmless plots in a non-pejorative sense.

Variants and related forms: The singular form in these languages is intrige; intriger is its common plural. Related verbs in the same languages express the act of intriguing or plotting, forming a close lexical family with the English term intrigue.

See also: intrigue, plot, scheme, conspiracy.