connive
[ kuh-nahyv ]
/ kəˈnaɪv /
verb (used without object), con·nived, con·niv·ing.
to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed by with): They connived to take over the business.
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.
to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed by at): to connive at childlike exaggerations.
Nearby words
connexion, connie, conning tower, conniption, connivance, connive, connivence, connivent, connivery, conniving, connoisseur
Origin of connive
Related formscon·niv·er, nouncon·niv·ing·ly, adverbun·con·nived, adjectiveun·con·niv·ing, adjective
Can be confusedconnive conspire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for conniver
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 MolloyHe is a drinker of strong wines, a conniver at evil for bribes: for a good sum he would teach "a felon"
Now, you have to show Bill or lose your reputation as a 'conniver.'
The Woodcraft Girls at Camp|Lillian Elizabeth Roy
British Dictionary definitions for conniver
connive
/ (kəˈnaɪv) /
verb (intr)
to plot together, esp secretly; conspire
(foll by at) law to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)
Derived Formsconniver, nounconnivingly, adverb
Word Origin for connive
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
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Word Origin and History for conniver
connive
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper