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.

Origin of contrive

1275–1325; Middle English contreven < Middle French contreuv-, tonic stem of controver to devise, invent, Old French: to decide, agree upon < Late Latin contropāre to compare, equivalent to con- con- + *tropāre (> French trouver to find; see trover); development of vowel unclear

SYNONYMS FOR contrive

3 conspire, scheme.
5 connive.

OTHER WORDS FROM contrive

con·triv·a·ble, adjective con·triv·er, noun pre·con·trive, verb, pre·con·trived, pre·con·triv·ing. un·con·triv·ing, adjective

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; engineer he contrived to make them meet
(tr) to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaborately he contrived a new mast for the boat
to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)

Derived forms of contrive

contrivable, adjective contriver, noun

Word 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