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.

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM connive

con·niv·er, noun con·niv·ing·ly, adverb un·con·nived, adjective un·con·niv·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH connive

connive conspire

Example sentences from the Web for conniving

British Dictionary definitions for conniving

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 forms of connive

conniver, noun connivingly, adverb

Word Origin for connive

C17: from French conniver, from Latin connīvēre to blink, hence, leave uncensured; -nīvēre related to nictāre to wink