intrigue Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
machination.
noun a clandestine love affair
verb cause to be interested or curious
fascinate.
verb form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
scheme; connive.

F. intriguer, OF. intriquer, entriquer; cf. It. intrigare. See Intricate, Extricate.

imperfect & past participle Intrigued ; present participle & verbal noun Intriguing

To form a plot or scheme; to contrive to accomplish a purpose by secret artifice.
To carry on a secret and illicit love or amour.

To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate; to embarrass. Obs.
How doth it [sin] perplex and intrique the whole course of your lives! Dr. J. Scott.

Cf. F. intrique. See Intrigue, v. i.

Intricacy; complication. Obs. Sir M. Hale.
A complicated plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
Busy meddlers with intrigues of state. Pomfret.
The plot or romance; a complicated scheme of designs, actions, and events. Pope.
A secret and illicit love affair between two persons of different sexes; an amour; a liaison.
The hero of a comedy is represented victorious in all his intrigues. Swift.
Syn. -- Plot; scheme; conspiracy; machination.