also: あくけい
noun
evil scheme; wicked plot; trick
Refers to a malicious plan or underhanded scheme. Somewhat literary or formal; in everyday speech, 悪巧み (わるだくみ) is more common.
敵の悪計を見破った。
We saw through the enemy's evil scheme.
彼は悪計を巡らせて会社を乗っ取ろうとした。
He hatched a wicked plot to take over the company.
Obsolete reading; it is out-dated kana usage. Included for recognition of older texts.
More common and colloquial term for a wicked scheme or plot. 悪計 is more literary and less frequently used in daily conversation.
Compound of 悪 (evil) and 計 (plan, scheme). The reading あっけい is a standard on'yomi combination; the older reading あくけい reflects an earlier kana usage.