conniver

Variant of connive

connive definition

con·nive (kə nīv′)

intransitive verb connived -·nived′, conniving -·niv′·ing

  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

Etymology: < 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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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