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intriguing

   Also found in: Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
in·trigue  (ntrg, n-trg)
n.
1.
a. A secret or underhand scheme; a plot.
b. The practice of or involvement in such schemes.
2. A clandestine love affair.
v. (n-trg) in·trigued, in·trigu·ing, in·trigues
v.intr.
To engage in secret or underhand schemes; plot.
v.tr.
1. To effect by secret scheming or plotting.
2. To arouse the interest or curiosity of: Hibernation has long intrigued biologists.

[From French intriguer, to plot, from Italian intrigare, to plot, from Latin intrcre, to entangle; see intricate.]

in·triguer n.
intriguing·ly adv.
Usage Note: The introduction of the verb intrigue to mean "to arouse the interest or curiosity of" was initially resisted by writers on usage as an unneeded French substitute for available English words such as interest, fascinate, or puzzle, but it now appears to be well established. Seventy-eight percent of the Usage Panel accepts it in the sentence The special-quota idea intrigues some legislators, who have asked a Washington think tank to evaluate it, whereas only 52 percent accepted it in a 1968 survey.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.intriguing - disturbingly provocative; "an intriguing smile"
provocative - serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy; "a provocative remark"; "a provocative smile"; "provocative Irish tunes which...compel the hearers to dance"- Anthony Trollope
2.intriguing - capable of arousing interest or curiosity; "our team came up with some most intriguing finds"
interesting - arousing or holding the attention

intriguing
Translations
intriguing [ɪnˈtriːgɪŋ] adjfascinante
intriguing [ɪnˈtriːgɪŋ] intrigue adjfascinant(e)
intriguing [ɪnˈtriːgɪŋ] intrigue adjfaszinierend
intriguing [ɪnˈtriːgɪŋ] adjaffascinante


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What child-inquiring mind could resist this intriguing sentence to be found on the second page of the book:
You had not your little wits sharpened by their intriguing against you, suppressed and defenceless, under the mask of sympathy and pity and what not that is soft and soothing.
I had a sensation of plotting and intriguing around me, all the time.
 
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