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contrive definition

con·trive (kən trīv′)

transitive verb contrived -·trived′, contriving -·triv′·ing

  1. to think up; devise; scheme; plan to contrive a way to help
  2. to construct skillfully or ingeniously; fabricate
  3. to bring about, as by a scheme; manage he contrived to get in
  4. to scheme for evil purposes

Etymology: ME contreven < OFr controver, to find out, contrive, imagine < VL contropare, to compare < com, com- + tropus, trope

intransitive verb

to form plans; scheme

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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