connivance

American  

[kuh-nahy-vuhns] / kəˈnaɪ vəns /

Or connivence

noun

1. the act of conniving.

2. Law.

   1. tacit encouragement or assent (without participation) to wrongdoing by another.

   2. the consent by a person to a spouse's conduct, especially adultery, that is later made the basis of a divorce proceeding or other complaint.

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connivance British  

/ kəˈnaɪvəns /

noun

1. the act or fact of conniving

2. law the tacit encouragement of or assent to another's wrongdoing, esp (formerly) of the petitioner in a divorce suit to the respondent's adultery

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Other Word Forms

• nonconnivance
  noun
• nonconnivence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of connivance

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier connivence, from French or directly from Latin connīventia; see origin at connive, -ence, -ance

Explanation

If your principal overlooks cheating on standardized tests because it makes his school look better, he is guilty of connivance, or allowing an unethical act to take place. If your siblings conspire to play a prank on you, you could say they are conniving to trick you. If your mother knew about it, but chose to allow the act to happen, you'd probably be pretty angry at her connivance. Or you could follow the old saying, "Don't get mad, get even!"

Example Sentences

The throne of iniquity, which frames mischief by a Law; such as will promote Vice, by both Connivance, and Example; and such as will oppress all that shall be Holy, and Just, and Good.

From The Wonders of the Invisible World Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches by Mather, Cotton

Connivance was an ambiguous and therefore an ill-chosen word.

From The History of England from the First Invasion by the Romans to the Accession of King George the Fifth Volume 8 by Belloc, Hilaire

Connivance, collusion, condonation, recrimination, and other defences are not even mentioned therein.

From The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 5, Bay State Monthly, Volume 4, No. 5, May, 1886 by Various

"Connivance is a thing secret and concealed, and shuns all outward signs."

From Pausanias, the Spartan The Haunted and the Haunters, an Unfinished Historical Romance by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron

Connivance in such lawlessness on the part of the government contributed largely to its overthrow in the July revolution of 1830.

From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.