'Conspire' is Latin for 'breathe together' — the image of whispered plotting became secret scheming.
To make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act; (of events or circumstances) to seem to be working together to bring about a particular negative result.
From Old French 'conspirer,' from Latin 'cōnspīrāre' (to breathe together, to act in harmony, to agree, to plot together), a compound of 'con-' (together, with, from PIE *kom) + 'spīrāre' (to breathe, to blow), from PIE *speys- (to blow). PIE *speys- yielded Latin 'spīrāre' (breathe), 'spīritus' (breath, spirit, soul), 'aspire' (breathe toward, yearn for), 'expire' (breathe out, die), 'inspire' (breathe into, infuse with spirit), 'perspire' (breathe through), 'transpire' (breathe across, become known), and 'respire' (breathe again). The original Latin 'cōnspīrāre' was morally
In classical Latin, 'cōnspīrāre' was often positive — it described harmony, unity, and agreement. Roman writers used it for instruments playing in tune ('conspiring' to produce harmony) and for citizens acting in accord. The negative 'plotting' sense existed in Latin but was secondary. English inherited almost exclusively the sinister
Words closest in meaning, ranked by similarity