conspiracy

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈspɪrəsi/

noun (plural conspiracies)

  • a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful: a conspiracy to destroy the government
  • [mass noun] 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: the ministers took part in a conspiracy of silence over the decision to close the steelworks

Origin:

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