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

Noun

(en noun)

Something designed to fool or swindle.

A single piece (or business) of a magician's (or any variety entertainer's) act.

An effective, clever or quick way of doing something.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.}}

Mischievous or annoying behavior; a prank.

the tricks of boys

(Prior)

(dated) A particular habit or manner; a peculiarity; a trait.

a trick''' of drumming with the fingers; a '''trick of frowning

* William Shakespeare, King Lear act IV, scene VI:

The trick of that voice I do well remember.

* William Shakespeare,King John Act I, scene I

He hath a trick of Cœur de Lion's face.

A knot, braid, or plait of hair.

(Ben Jonson)

(card games) A sequence in which each player plays a card and a winning play is determined.

* Alexander Pope

On one nice trick depends the general fate.

(slang) An act of prostitution. Generally used with turn .

(slang) A customer to a prostitute.

An entertaining difficult physical action.

A daily period of work, especially in shift-based jobs.

* 1885 , Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, The Conductor and Brakeman , page 496:

On third trick from 12 m. to 8 am, we have W. A. White, formerly operator at Wallula, who thus far has given general satisfaction.

* 1899 , New York (State), Bureau of Statistics, Deptartment of Labor, Annual Report :

Woodside Junction—On 8 hour basis, first trick' $60, second '''trick''' $60, third ' trick $50.

* 1949 , Labor arbitration reports , page 738:

The Union contends that Fifer was entitled to promotion to the position of Group Leader on the third trick in the Core Room Department.

(nautical) A sailor's spell of work at the helm, usually two hours long.

A toy; a trifle; a plaything.

(Shakespeare)