Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - intrigue

~1 v 1 if something intrigues you, you are very interested by it, especially because it seems strange or mysterious  (I was intrigued by his request.) 2 literary to make secret plans to harm someone or make them lose their position of power  (While King Richard was abroad, the barons had been intriguing against him.) ~2 n 1 the act or practice of secretly planning to harm someone or make them lose their position of power  (It's an exciting story of political intrigue and murder. | a web of intrigue) 2 a secret plan to harm someone or make them lose their position of power