connive

To connive is to cooperate secretly to do something wrong or illegal or to encourage wrong or illegal behavior.

(verb)

When you create a secret plan to do something wrong with a friend, this is an example of connive.

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See connive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb connived, conniving

  1. to pretend not to see or look (at something wrong or evil), thus giving tacit consent or cooperation; feign ignorance of another's wrongdoing
    1. to cooperate secretly (with someone), esp. in wrongdoing; conspire
    2. to scheme in an underhanded way

Origin: < L conivere, to wink, connive < com-, intens. + base akin to nictare, to wink < IE base *knei-gwh-, to bend > Goth hneiwan, to bend, bow, OE hnigian, to bow (the head)

Related Forms:

See connive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb con·nived, con·niv·ing, con·nives
  1. To cooperate secretly in an illegal or wrongful action; collude: The dealers connived with customs officials to bring in narcotics.
  2. To scheme; plot.
  3. To feign ignorance of or fail to take measures against a wrong, thus implying tacit encouragement or consent: The guards were suspected of conniving at the prisoner's escape.

Origin:

Origin: Latin cōnīvēre, connīvēre, to close the eyes

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Related Forms:

  • con·nivˈer noun
  • con·nivˈer·y noun

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