First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1plot
noun \ˈplät\
: an area of land that has been measured and is considered as a unit
: a usually small piece of land that is used for a particular purpose
: a series of events that form the story in a novel, movie, etc.
Full Definition of PLOT
1
2
: ground plan, plat
3
: the plan or main story (as of a movie or literary work)
4
[perhaps back-formation from complot] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end : intrigue
5
: a graphic representation (as a chart)
— plot·less \-ləs\ adjective
— plot·less·ness noun
See plot defined for English-language learners
See plot defined for kids
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Examples of PLOT
- Her books are page-turners, and yet there is more going on in them than just the mechanics of a clever plot… —Robin McKinley New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987
- … as he stood before the great dripping department store which now occupied the big plot of ground where once had stood both the Amberson Hotel and the Amberson Opera House. —Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
- When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. “The plot thickens,” he said, as I entered… —Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887
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Origin of PLOT
Middle English, from Old English
Related to PLOT
- Synonyms
- conspiracy, design, intrigue, machination, scheme
Synonym Discussion of PLOT
plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme <an assassination plot>. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity <backstairs intrigue>. machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means <the machinations of a party boss>. conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery <a conspiracy to fix prices>. cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence <a cabal among powerful senators>.
synonyms see in addition plan
Other Literature Terms
2plot
verb \ˈplät\
: to plan secretly to do something usually illegal or harmful
: to plan (something)
: to mark (something, such as a location or path) on a map, graph, chart, etc.
plot·tedplot·ting
Full Definition of PLOT
transitive verb
1
a : to make a plot, map, or plan of b : to mark or note on or as if on a map or chart
3
a : to locate (a point) by means of coordinates b : to locate (a curve) by plotted points c : to represent (an equation) by means of a curve so constructed
4
: to plan or contrive especially secretly
5
: to invent or devise the plot of (as a movie or a literary work)
intransitive verb
1
: to form a plot : scheme
2
: to be located by means of coordinates <the data plot at a single point>
See plot defined for English-language learners
Examples of PLOT
- While men plotted wars or devised philosophies, women were confined within their homes … —Barbara Ehrenreich, Ms., Winter 2007
- Would-be nation builders plotted Italy's unification from the south and the north. —David Van Biema, Time, 4 Sept. 2000
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Origin of PLOT
(see 1plot)
First Known Use: 1588
PLOTS Defined for Kids
1plot
noun \ˈplät\
Definition of PLOT for Kids
1
: a secret usually evil scheme
2
: the plan or main story of a play or novel
3
: a small area of ground <a garden plot>
2plot
verb
plot·tedplot·ting
Definition of PLOT for Kids
1
: to plan or scheme secretly usually to do something bad
2
: to make a plan of <Have you plotted your route?>
— plot·ter noun
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Seen & Heard
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