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.
雙語例句
1. Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
遺憾的是，過于簡單的情節使得這部電影差強人意。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The Tories have lost the plot on law and order.
保守黨人在治安問題上不知所措。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Ackroyd worked out this whole plot with one objective in view.
阿克羅伊德制訂出這一整套秘密計劃就是為了達到一個目的。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Yesterday's meeting was intended to plot a survival strategy for the party.
昨天的會議旨在制訂使該黨能夠繼續存在下去的策略。
來自柯林斯例句
5. Reports of the plot of this unusual film tend to excite revulsion.