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conspiracy

Syllabification: (con·spir·a·cy)

Pronunciation: /kənˈspirəsē/

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Definition of conspiracy

noun (plural conspiracies)

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful:a conspiracy to destroy the government
the action of plotting or conspiring:they were cleared of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

Phrases

a conspiracy of silence: an agreement to say nothing about an issue that should be generally known.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French conspiracie, alteration of Old French conspiration, based on Latin conspirare 'agree, plot' (see conspire)