v.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' n ī v
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: con · nived ; con · niv · ing
Etymology: French or Latin; French conniver, from Latin coniv ē re, conniv ē re to close the eyes, connive, from com- + -niv ē re (akin to nictare to wink); akin to Old English & Old High German hn ī gan to bow
Date: 1601
1 : to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose <the government connived in the rebels' military buildup>
2 a : to be indulgent or in secret sympathy : WINK b : to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding
3 : CONSPIRE , INTRIGUE <accused his opponents of conniving to defeat the proposal>
– con · niv · er noun