/keuh nuy"veuhns/ , n.
1. the act of conniving.
2. Law.
a. tacit encouragement or assent (without participation) to wrongdoing by another.
b. the consent by a person to a spouse's conduct, esp. adultery, that is later made the basis of a divorce proceeding or other complaint.
Also, connivence .
[ 1590-1600; earlier connivence ( conniventia. See CONNIVE, -ENCE, -ANCE ]