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connive

[kuh-nahyv]
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verb (used without object), con·nived, con·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.
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Origin of connive

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 (cf. nictitate)
Related formscon·niv·er, nouncon·niv·ing·ly, adverbun·con·nived, adjectiveun·con·niv·ing, adjective
Can be confusedconnive conspire

Synonyms

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1. plan, plot, collude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for conniver

Historical Examples

  • Now, you have to show Bill or lose your reputation as a 'conniver.'

    The Woodcraft Girls at Camp

    Lillian Elizabeth Roy

  • No man dared contradict or oppose him, lest he should be denounced as a conniver of the plot, and arrested as a traitor.

    Royalty Restored

    J. Fitzgerald Molloy

  • He is a drinker of strong wines, a conniver at evil for bribes: for a good sum he would teach "a felon"

British Dictionary definitions for conniver

connive

verb (intr)
  1. to plot together, esp secretly; conspire
  2. (foll by at) law to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)
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Derived Formsconniver, nounconnivingly, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from French conniver, from Latin connīvēre to blink, hence, leave uncensured; -nīvēre related to nictāre to wink
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for conniver

connive

v.

c.1600, from Latin connivere, also conivere "to wink," hence, "to wink at (a crime), be secretly privy," from com- "together" (see com-) + base akin to nictare "to wink," from PIE root *kneigwh- (see nictitate). Related: Connived; conniving.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper