Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Intrigue
In-trigue′
(ĭn-trēg′)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Intrigued
(-trēgd′)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Intriguing
.] 1.
To form a plot or scheme; to contrive to accomplish a purpose by secret artifice.
2.
To carry on a secret and illicit love or amour.
In-trigue′
,Verb.
T.
To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate; to embarrass.
[Obs.]
How doth it [sin] perplex and
intrique
the whole course of your lives! Dr. J. Scott.
1.
Intricacy; complication.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.
2.
A complicated plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
Busy meddlers with
intrigues
of state. Pomfret.
3.
The plot of a play or romance; a complicated scheme of designs, actions, and events.
Pope.
4.
A secret and illicit love affair between two persons of different sexes; an amour; a liaison.
Syn. – Plot; scheme; conspiracy; machination.
Webster 1828 Edition
Intrigue
INTRIGUE
,Noun.
1.
A plot or scheme of a complicated nature, intended to effect some purpose by secret artifices. An intrigue may be formed and prosecuted by an individual,and we often hear of the intrigues of a minister or a courtier, but often several projectors are concerned in an intrigue. The word is usually applied to affairs of love or of government.2.
The plot of a play or romance; a complicated scheme of designs, actions and events, intended to awaken interest in an audience or reader, and make them wait with eager curiosity for the solution or development.3.
Intricacy; complication. [Not in use.]INTRIGUE
,Verb.
I.
INTRIGUE
,Verb.
T.
To perplex or render intricate. [Not used.]
Definition 2024
intrigue
intrigue
See also: intrigué
English
Alternative forms
Noun
intrigue (plural intrigues)
- A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
- Thomas Carlyle
- […] lost in such a jungle of intrigues, pettifoggings, treacheries, diplomacies domestic and foreign […]
- Thomas Carlyle
- The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters.
- Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair.
- 1976, John Harold Wilson, Court Satires of the Restoration (page 245)
- In 1679 and 1680 there were persistent rumors of an intrigue between Mary, Lady Grey, and the Duke of Monmouth.
- 1976, John Harold Wilson, Court Satires of the Restoration (page 245)
Translations
plot or scheme
Verb
intrigue (third-person singular simple present intrigues, present participle intriguing, simple past and past participle intrigued)
- (intransitive) To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
- (transitive) To arouse the interest of; to fascinate.
- 2012 March 1, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 106:
- Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story. And, on top of all that, they are ornaments; they entice and intrigue and sometimes delight.
-
- (intransitive) To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
- (transitive) To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate.
- Dr. J. Scott
- How doth it [sin] perplex and intrigue the whole course of your lives!
- Dr. J. Scott
Translations
to plan
to arouse interest
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Related terms
References
- intrigue in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- intrigue in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛ̃.tʁiɡ/
Noun
intrigue f (plural intrigues)
- intrigue (all senses)
Verb
intrigue
- inflection of intriguer:
- first-person and third-person singular present indicative
- first-person and third-person singular present subjunctive
- second-person singular imperative
Portuguese
Pronunciation
- (Brazil) IPA(key): /ĩ.ˈtɾi.ɡi/
Verb
intrigue
- first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of intrigar
- third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of intrigar
- third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of intrigar
- third-person singular (você) negative imperative of intrigar
Spanish
Verb
intrigue
- Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of intrigar.
- First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of intrigar.
- Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of intrigar.
- Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present subjunctive form of intrigar.