Machination
/ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/noun
A crafty or secret plot, especially one made to cause harm.
Did you know?The word entered English through French from Latin machīnātiō, and its root machina could mean a machine, device, or a crafty contrivance — so the word has always carried the energy of engineered deception.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*magh-
“to be able, have power”
Ancient Greek
Greek
mēkhanḗ
“a contrivance, device, or means”
Latin
Latin
machina
“a machine, engine, device, or crafty contrivance”
Late Latin
Latin
machinātiō
“a contrivance, plot, or device”
Old French
French
machinacion
“a scheme, plot, or crafty device”
14th Century
English
machinacioun
“a plot or deceptive scheme”
Modern English
English
machination
“a crafty scheme or underhand plot”