What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Novel vs Plot - What's the difference?

novel | plot |

As nouns the difference between novel and plot

is that novel is a novelty; something new while plot is the course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.

As an adjective novel

is new, original, especially in an interesting way.

As a verb plot is

to conceive (a crime, etc).

novel

English

(wikipedia novel)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • new, original, especially in an interesting way
    • Usage notes
    * Said of ideas, ways, etc.
    Synonyms
    * See also

    Etymology 2

    In various senses from (etyl) novelle or (etyl) novella, both from (etyl) novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, from . Some senses came to English directly from the Latin. (etystub)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A novelty; something new.
  • *, II.2.4:
    • merry talessuch as the old woman told of Psyche in Apuleius, Boccace novels , and the rest, quarum auditione pueri delectantur, senes narratione , which some delight to hear, some to tell, all are well pleased with.
  • A work of prose fiction, longer than a short story.
  • (classical studies, historical) A new legal constitution in ancient Rome.
    • Derived terms
    * novelisation, novelization * novelist
    Related terms
    * novella

    plot

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • If the plot or intrigue must be natural, and such as springs from the subject, then the winding up of the plot must be a probable consequence of all that went before.
  • An area or land used for building on or planting on.
  • A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
  • A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
    • The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.
    The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot .
  • * Shakespeare
    • I have overheard a plot of death.
  • * Addison
    • O, think what anxious moments pass between / The birth of plots and their last fatal periods!
  • Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
  • * Denham
    • a man of much plot
  • Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
  • * Milton
    • And when Christ saith, Who marries the divorced commits adultery, it is to be understood, if he had any plot in the divorce.
  • A plan; a purpose.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
    • no other plot in their religion but serve God and save their souls

    Synonyms

    * (course of a story) storyline * (area) parcel * (secret plan) conspiracy, scheme

    Derived terms

    * Gunpowder Plot * lose the plot * plotless * subplot * the plot thickens/plot thickens

    Verb

    (plott)
  • To conceive (a crime, etc).
    • They had ''plotted a robbery.
  • To trace out (a graph or diagram).
    • They ''plotted'' the number of edits per day.
  • To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
    • Every five minutes they ''plotted'' their position.
  • * Carew
    • This treatise plotteth down Cornwall as it now standeth.
  • To conceive a crime, misdeed, etc.
    • ''They were plotting against the king.

    Synonyms

    * (contrive) becast * (sense) scheme

    Derived terms

    * replot

    Anagrams

    * * English control verbs ----