plot
Pronunciation: (plot), [key]
— n., v., plot•ted, plot•ting.
—n.
- a secret plan or scheme to accomplish some purpose, esp. a hostile, unlawful, or evil purpose: a plot to overthrow the government.
- Also calledthe plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.
- a small piece or area of ground: a garden plot; burial plot.
- a measured piece or parcel of land: a house on a two-acre plot.
- a plan, map, diagram, or other graphic representation, as of land, a building, etc.
- a list, timetable, or scheme dealing with any of the various arrangements for the production of a play, motion picture, etc.: According to the property plot, there should be a lamp stage left.
- a chart showing the course of a craft, as a ship or airplane.
- a point or points located on a map or chart: target plot.
—v.t.
- to plan secretly, esp. something hostile or evil: to plot mutiny.
- to mark on a plan, map, or chart, as the course of a ship or aircraft.
- to draw a plan or map of, as a tract of land or a building.
- to divide (land) into plots.
- to determine and mark (points), as on plotting paper, by means of measurements or coordinates.
- to draw (a curve) by means of points so marked.
- to represent by means of such a curve.
- to devise or construct the plot of (a play, novel, etc.).
- to prepare a list, timetable, or scheme of (production arrangements), as for a play or motion picture: The stage manager hadn't plotted the set changes until one day before the dress rehearsal.
- to make (a calculation) by graph.
—v.i.
- to plan or scheme secretly; form a plot; conspire.
- to devise or develop a literary or dramatic plot.
- to be marked or located by means of measurements or coordinates, as on plotting paper.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.