contrive
[ kuhn-trahyv ]
/ kənˈtraɪv /
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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, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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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