plot (1)

[An abbreviation of complot (g.v.). Cf. fence for defense, sport for disport, .] 1. A plan, scheme, or stratagem, especially a mischievous or treacherous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue. "Here's the plot on't."-Ben Jonson: Alchemist, i. 1. 2. A share or participation in a scheme or conspiracy. 3. The story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents, which are at last unfolded by unexpected means; the intrigue. "In the construction of plot , for example, in fictitious literature, we should aim at so arranging the incidents that we shall not be able to determine of any one of them whether it depends from any one other or upholds it. In IMG:content-1225.png:[blocks in formation] this sense, of course, perfection of plot is really or pre gence that constructs."-E. A. Poe: Works (ed. 1861), ii. 197. 4. Contrivance; ability to plot; deep reach of thought. "A man of much plot . "-Denham. 5. A scheme, a plan; a method of procedure. "The law of England never was properly applied unto the Irish nation, as by a purposed plot of government, but as they could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage." - Spenser: State of Ireland. †plot-proof, a. Proof or secure against plots; not to be hurt by plots. (Shakesp.: Winter's Tale , ii. 3.) plot (2), plat, *plott, *plotte, s . [A. S. plot =a patch of ground. It is the same word as pleck or plek a place (A. S. plæc ); pleck is itself a variant of platch , the older form of patch (q. v.).] 1. A plat or small piece of ground. "A cottage on a plot of rising ground." Words worth: Michael. *2. A spot, a mark, a stain. 3. A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, ., surveyed and delineated on paper. 4. A plan. "Th' eternal Plot, th' Idea fore-conceiv'd." Sylvester: The Columnes, 424. plot (1), v. t. & i. [PLOT (1), s.] A. Trans.: Τo plan, to scheme, to devise, to contrive secretly. "This expedition was by York and Talbot Too rashly plotted ." B. Intransitive: Shakesp.: Henry VI ., Pt . I. , iv. 4. 1. To form schemes or plots against another, or against a state, government, or authority; to conspire. "The earl's gratitude would not have been very shining, had he plotted to dethrone a prince who had delivered him from a prison." - Walpole : Anecdotes of Paint ing , vol. i., ch. vi. 2. To scheme, to plan; to devise a means. "For she had plotted to destroy them there." Drayton: Miseries of Queen Margaret. plot (2), v. t. [PLOT (2), s.] To make a plot or plan of; to lay down on paper after a survey. (PLOTTING.] "Plotted on the scale of eight inches to the nautical mile." -Atheneum , Dec. 20, 1884.