underplotn.
/ˈʌndəplɒt/, U.S. /ˈəndərˌplɑt/ 1. A (dramatic or literary) plot subordinate to the principal plot, but connected with it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > fiction > [noun] > plot > sub-plot
underplot1668
under-action1697
subplot1812
1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 13 There may be many actions in a Play..but they must all be subservient to the great one, which our language happily expresses in the name of under-plots.
1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth i. 146 Such affairs are but the little under-plots in the tragicomedy of the world.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 40. ¶3 The skilful Choice of an Under-Plot.
1781 R. B. Sheridan Critic ii. ii I have laid my under-plot in low life.
1847 Westm. & Foreign Q. Rev. 47 62 The greater part of the underplot was by the inferior writer.
1873 J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets ix. 300 The under-plots of many plays..are not sufficiently subordinated to the main design.
2. An underhand scheme or trick.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > planning > plotting > [noun] > a plot
devicec1290
wanlace1303
conjecturea1464
machinationa1475
practice1533
draught1535
plot?c1550
plat1584
design1590
contrivement1608
intrigo1648
complotment1660
underplot1668
contrivance1689
intrigue1692
scheme1719
infanglement1753
fix-up1832
1668 G. Etherege She wou'd if she Cou'd iii. i. 33 We cannot be long without some under-plots In this Town.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 170. ¶12 They still suspect an Under-Plot in every female Action.
a1845 T. Hood Lamia vi, in W. Jerdan Autobiogr. (1852) I. 288 Canst swear she is..No cheating underplot,—no covert shape, Making a filthy masquerade of nature.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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