marplot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicLiterary, Humorous, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “marplot” mean?
A person who interferes with or spoils a plan, scheme, or project through clumsy or officious meddling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who interferes with or spoils a plan, scheme, or project through clumsy or officious meddling.
A character, figure, or agent whose interference or bumbling actions complicate a narrative or process, often hindering the success of an undertaking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary/historical contexts.
Connotations
Equally archaic in both varieties. Connotes a dated, sometimes quaint term for an interfering busybody.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech or writing in both regions. Most commonly found in discussions of historical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “marplot” in a Sentence
He/she is/acts like a marplot.to play the marplotVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Would be replaced by 'obstructionist' or 'micromanager'.
Academic
Rare, but might appear in literary criticism or historical studies referencing 18th-century drama.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely. 'Meddler' or 'busybody' would be used.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marplot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marplot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marplot”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He marplotted the plan'). While logical, it's not standard usage. The word is a noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered a rare and archaic term. It is mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
While the meaning is clear, standard dictionaries list it only as a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to marplot') would be considered a non-standard neologism.
It originates from the name of a character, 'Marplot', in the 1709 play 'The Busie Body' by Susanna Centlivre. The character was a meddler who spoiled plots.
A marplot typically spoils things through clumsy, officious, or misguided interference, often with good intentions. A saboteur acts with deliberate and malicious intent to destroy or hinder.
A person who interferes with or spoils a plan, scheme, or project through clumsy or officious meddling.
Marplot is usually literary, humorous, archaic in register.
Marplot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːplɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːrplɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to play the marplot”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone MARring (spoiling) a PLOT (plan) by clumsily interfering.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERFERENCE IS SPOILAGE / A PERSON IS AN AGENT OF CHAOS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a marplot?