Main Entry: mach·i·na·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən, ˌma-shə-\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : an act of machinating
2 : a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end <backstage machinations…that have dominated the film industry — Peter Bogdanovich>

synonyms see plot