Intrigue
/ɪnˈtriːɡ/noun
To arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate.
Did you know?The word 'intrigue' was once closely tied to treachery and secret plots, hinting at the shadowy underbelly of human relationships and power plays.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tri-
“to pierce or penetrate.”
Latin
Latin
intricare
“to entangle, to perplex.”
Old French
Old French
intrigue
“a secret plot, a scheme.”
14th Century
Middle English
intrigue
“to scheme or plot secretly.”
Modern English
English
intrigue
“to engage in secret or underhanded plotting.”