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machinations

 - 3 dictionary results

mach⋅i⋅na⋅tion

  [mak-uh-ney-shuhn]
Use machinations in a Sentence
–noun
1. an act or instance of machinating.
2. Usually, machinations. crafty schemes; plots; intrigues.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME machinacion < L māchinātiōn- (s. of māchinātiō). See machinate, -ion

Synonyms:
2. stratagem, device.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mach·i·na·tion   (māk'ə-nā'shən, māsh'-)   
n.  

  1. The act of plotting.

  2. A crafty scheme or cunning design for the accomplishment of a sinister end.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

machination 
c.1477, "a plotting, intrigue," from L. machinationem (nom. machinatio) "device, contrivance, machination," from machinatus, pp. of machinari "contrive, plot," from machina (see machine).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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