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connive
3 dictionary results for: Conniving
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
con·nive       [kuh-nahyv] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used without object), -nived, -niv·ing.
1.to cooperate secretly; conspire (often fol. by with): They connived to take over the business.
2.to avoid noticing something that one is expected to oppose or condemn; give aid to wrongdoing by forbearing to act or speak (usually fol. by at): The policeman connived at traffic violations.
3.to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually fol. by at): to connive at childlike exaggerations.
[Origin: 1595–1605; (< F conniver) < L co(n)nīvére to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equiv. to con- con- + -nīvére, akin to nictāre to blink (cf. nictitate)]

—Related forms
con·niv·er, noun
con·niv·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. plan, plot, collude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
con·nive       (kə-nīv')  Pronunciation Key 
intr.v.   con·nived, con·niv·ing, con·nives
  1. To cooperate secretly in an illegal or wrongful action; collude: The dealers connived with customs officials to bring in narcotics.
  2. To scheme; plot.
  3. To feign ignorance of or fail to take measures against a wrong, thus implying tacit encouragement or consent: The guards were suspected of conniving at the prisoner's escape.


[Latin cōnīvēre, connīvēre, to close the eyes.]

con·niv'er n., con·niv'er·y n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
conniving

adjective
1. acting together in secret toward a fraudulent or illegal end [syn: collusive] 
2. used of persons; "the most calculating and selfish men in the community" [syn: calculating] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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