plot: [11] Two separate and unrelated words have come together to form modern English plot. The earlier was late Old English plot, a term of unknown origin which denoted ‘area of ground’ (as in a ‘plot of land’). This subsequently developed to ‘ground plan’ and ‘diagram’, which formed the basis of ‘set of events in a story’ (first recorded in the 17th century). The other ancestor was Old French complot ‘secret scheme’ (also of unknown origin), which was originally borrowed into English in the 16th century as complot, but soon lost its prefix com-, no doubt under the influence of the already existing noun plot.
plot (v.)
1580s, "to lay plans for" (usually with evil intent); 1590s in the literal sense of "to make a map or diagram," from plot (n.). Related: Plotted; plotter; plotting.
plot (n.)
Old English plot "small piece of ground," of unknown origin. Sense of "ground plan," and thus "map, chart" is 1550s; that of "a secret, plan, scheme" is 1580s, probably by accidental similarity to complot, from Old French complot "combined plan," of unknown origin, perhaps a back-formation from compeloter "to roll into a ball," from pelote "ball." Meaning "set of events in a story" is from 1640s. Plot-line (n.) attested from 1957.
双语例句
1. Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
遗憾的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The Tories have lost the plot on law and order.
保守党人在治安问题上不知所措。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Ackroyd worked out this whole plot with one objective in view.
阿克罗伊德制订出这一整套秘密计划就是为了达到一个目的。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Yesterday's meeting was intended to plot a survival strategy for the party.
昨天的会议旨在制订使该党能够继续存在下去的策略。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Reports of the plot of this unusual film tend to excite revulsion.