Intrigue

Origin

1640–50; < F intriguer < It intrigare < L intrīcāre to entangle; see intricate

Verb (used with object)

• 1. to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to; captivate: The plan intrigues me, but I wonder if it will work.
• 2. to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest: to intrigue one's way into another's notice.
• 3. to draw or capture: Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol.
• 4. to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations.
• 5. Obsolete. to entangle.
• 6. Obsolete. to trick or cheat.

Verb (used without object)

• 7. to plot craftily or underhandedly.
• 8. to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.

Noun

• 9. the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.
• 10. such a machination or stratagem or a series of them; a plot or crafty dealing: political intrigues.
• 11. a secret or illicit love affair.
• 12. the series of complications forming the plot of a play.

Synonyms

1. interest, attract, fascinate. 7. manipulate. 9, 10. manipulation. 10. See conspiracy.