Machination \Mach`i*na"tion\, n. [L. machinatio: cf. F.
machination.]
1. The act of machinating. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile or treacherous
scheme; an artful design or plot.
[1913 Webster]
Devilish machinations come to naught. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
His ingenious machinations had failed. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
machination
n : a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually
sinister) ends [syn: intrigue]
WordNet (r) 2.0
64 Moby Thesaurus words for "machination":
artifice, behind-the-scenes influence, cabal, chicane, chicanery,
collusion, complicity, complot, confederacy, connivance, connivery,
conspiracy, contrivance, contriving, counterplot, covin,
deep-laid plot, design, designing, devices, dodgery, engineering,
expedients, finagling, finesse, foul play, frame-up, gambit, game,
influence, intrigue, intriguing, little game, maneuvering,
maneuvers, manipulating, manipulation, move, pettifoggery,
pettifogging, plot, plotting, ploy, political influence, practice,
rigging, ruse, scheme, schemery, scheming, sharp practice,
skulduggery, sleight, stratagem, supercherie, tactical maneuvers,
tactics, trick, trickery, underhand dealing, underplot,
web of intrigue, wile, wire-pulling
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
MACHINATION. The act by which some plot or conspiracy is set on foot.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MACHINATION, n. The method employed by one's opponents in baffling
one's open and honorable efforts to do the right thing.
So plain the advantages of machination
It constitutes a moral obligation,
And honest wolves who think upon't with loathing
Feel bound to don the sheep's deceptive clothing.
So prospers still the diplomatic art,
And Satan bows, with hand upon his heart.
R.S.K.
THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993)
intrigue
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