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connive at

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con⋅nive

  [kuh-nahyv]
Use connive at in a Sentence
–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)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equiv. to con- con- + -nīvēre, 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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

connive 
1602, from L. 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: con·nive
Pronunciation: k&-'nIv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: con·nived; con·niv·ing
Etymology: Latin con(n)ivere to close one's eyes, knowingly overlook something
: to assent knowingly and wrongfully without opposition to another's wrongdoing; specifically : to knowingly consent to a spouse's marital misconduct and esp. to adultery
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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