Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

contrivable

 - 2 dictionary results

con⋅trive

  [kuhn-trahyv] verb, -trived, -triv⋅ing.
Use contrivable in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent: The author contrived a clever plot.
2. to bring about or effect by a plan, scheme, or the like; manage: He contrived to gain their votes.
3. to plot (evil, treachery, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
4. to form designs; plan.
5. to plot.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME contreven < MF contreuv-, tonic s. of controver to devise, invent, OF: to decide, agree upon < LL contropāre to compare, equiv. to con- con- + *tropāre (> F trouver to find; see trover ); development of vowel unclear

Related forms:
con⋅triv⋅a⋅ble, adjective
con⋅triv⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. design, concoct. See prepare. 3. conspire, scheme. 5. connive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To contrivable
Word Origin & History

contrive 
c.1325, from O.Fr. controver "to find out, contrive, imagine," from V.L. contropare "to compare" (via a figure of speech), from L. com- "with" + tropus "song, musical mode," from Gk. tropos "figure of speech" (see trope). Sense evolution (in Fr.) was from "invent with ingenuity" to "invent falsely."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see contrivable on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way