mindmap root((阴谋)) plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme: foiled an assassination ~. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity: finagled the nomination by means of by means of back-room ~. machination implies a contriving of annoyance, injuries, or evils and imputes hostility or treachery to the contrivers: through ~s she pieced together a publishing empire. conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people, often, but not always, involving treason or great treachery: a ~ of oil companies to set prices. cabal typically applies to intrigue, often involving persons of some eminence, to accomplish some end favorable to its members injurious to those affected: the infamous ~ against General Washington.