Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Connive?

\Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Connived} (-n[imac]vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Conniving}.] [L. connivere to shut the eyes, connive, fr. con- + (perh.) a word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.] 1. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink. [Obs.] The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to connive with either eye. --Spectator. 2. To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or forbear by intention to discover an act; to permit a proceeding, as if not aware of it; -- usually followed by at. To connive at what it does not approve. --Jer. Taylor. In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving. --Burke. The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule. --Macaulay.
\Con*nive"\, v. t. To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see. [R. & Obs.] ``Divorces were not connived only, but with eye open allowed.'' --Milton.