Nearby Words
verb (used without object), -nived, -niv·ing.
1.
to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed 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 followed by at): The policeman connived at traffic violations.
3.
to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed by at): to connive at childlike exaggerations.
Origin:
1595–1605; (< French conniver) < Latin co(n)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent to con- con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink (compare nictitate)
1595–1605; (< French conniver) < Latin co(n)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent to con- con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink (compare nictitate)
Related forms
con·niv·er, noun
con·niv·ing·ly, adverb
un·con·nived, adjective
un·con·niv·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. plan, plot, collude.
1. plan, plot, collude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Connive
is always a great word to know.
So is congregate. Does it mean:
| assemble in large numbers |
| willful and obstinate resistance or disobedience to authority |
Example Sentences
- She will have to cheat, fight, connive and bully her way through her entire administration and nothing good will come of.
- Someone will break the rules and, as often as not, someone else will have reason to connive with them.
- At this point we're handing them public money with which to connive against the public interest.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
connive
c.1600, from L. connivere, also conivere "to wink," from com- "together" + base akin to nictare "to wink," from PIE base *knei-gwh- "to bend." Hence, "to wink at (a crime), be secretly privy."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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