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machination

conspiracy, plot, scheming

noun mah-shee-nah-SYOHN Rare

Usage Note

Machination almost always appears in the plural machinations and refers to secretive, underhanded plotting to harm someone or achieve a dishonest end. It is a somewhat literary or journalistic word; complot is the more everyday synonym for 'plot'. The verb machiner means 'to scheme' or 'to engineer a plot'.

Examples

"Il a découvert leurs machinations."

Natural Translation

He uncovered their scheming.

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