Plotlines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An interconnected sequence of events or actions in a narrative that reveals the themes and character developments
2. A series of story arcs or subplots that contribute to the overall narrative structure of a creative work
3. Various narrative threads that weave together to create a cohesive storyline or framework for a story

Etymology: The compound noun in question combines two familiar English words: "plot" and "lines." Each brings its own history to the formation of this modern term. "Plot" originally meant a piece of ground or land, dating back to Old English "plot," from a Germanic source related to Old High German "plot," meaning a patch of ground. By the late Middle Ages, the word had evolved metaphorically to mean a plan or scheme, especially in storytelling or intrigue. This shift likely arose because a plot of land is a defined, bounded space, much like a narrative plot delineates a bounded sequence of events. The second element, "lines," derives from Old English "line," from Latin "linea," meaning a linen thread or string, and by extension, a mark or stroke. In literature, "lines" came to mean passages of text, especially in poetry or drama, by the early modern period. Putting the two together, the plural form refers to multiple narrative threads or story arcs within a larger work. This usage likely grew more common with the rise of complex storytelling in novels, film, and television, where multiple plot threads intertwine. While the components are old, their joining into this specific sense is relatively recent, emerging in the 20th century as narratives grew more intricate and the language adapted to describe these complexities succinctly.

Synonyms: narratives, storylines, arcs, scripts, plots