What is the meaning of Machination?

A clever scheme or artful plot, usually crafted for evil purposes.

The act of machinating or plotting.

mā̆chināciọ̄n, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

1 2 machination, n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

undercover or underhanded plot; machination

Source: wiktionary.org