contrive
[ kuhn-trahyv ]
/ kənˈtraɪv /
verb (used with object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent: The author contrived a clever plot.
to bring about or effect by a plan, scheme, or the like; manage: He contrived to gain their votes.
to plot (evil, treachery, etc.).
verb (used without object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.
to form designs; plan.
to plot.
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Origin of contrive
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English contreven, from Middle French contreuv-, tonic stem of controver “to devise, invent,” Old French: “to decide, agree upon,” from Late Latin contropāre “to compare,” equivalent to con-con- + (unattested) tropāre (becoming French trouver “to find”; see trover); development of vowel unclear
synonym study for contrive
1. See prepare.
OTHER WORDS FROM contrive
con·triv·a·ble, adjectivecon·triv·er, nounpre·con·trive, verb, pre·con·trived, pre·con·triv·ing.un·con·triv·ing, adjectiveWords nearby contrive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for contrive
British Dictionary definitions for contrive
contrive
/ (kənˈtraɪv) /
verb
(tr) to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineerhe contrived to make them meet
(tr) to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaboratelyhe contrived a new mast for the boat
to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)
Derived forms of contrive
contrivable, adjectivecontriver, nounWord Origin for contrive
C14: from Old French controver, from Late Latin contropāre to represent by figures of speech, compare, from Latin com- together + tropus figure of speech, trope
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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