[con.nive] vi con.nived ; con.niv.ing [F or L; F conniver, fr. L conivere, connivere to close the eyes, connive, fr. com- + -nivere (akin to nictare to wink); akin to OE & OHG hnigan to bow] (1601) 1: to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose
2. a: to be indulgent or in secret sympathy: wink b: to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding
3: conspire, intrigue -- con.niv.er n