intrigue [E17th] There is an intriguing link between intrigue and intricate [LME]. Both ultimately derive from Latin intricare ‘to entangle, perplex’. Intricate came directly from the Latin word in the late Middle Ages, whereas intrigue lived an independent life, developing into Italian intrigare, which passed through French into English in the 17th century. The original English meaning of intrigue was ‘to trick, perplex’. The modern sense ‘to arouse curiosity or interest’ dates only from the late 19th century and shows the influence of a later development in French.