'Connive' definitions:

Definition of 'connive'

From: WordNet
verb
Encourage or assent to illegally or criminally
verb
Form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner [syn: scheme, intrigue, connive]

Definition of 'Connive'

From: GCIDE
  • Connive \Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Connived (-n[imac]vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Conniving.] [L. connivere to shut the eyes, connive, fr. con- + (perh.) a word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.]
  • 1. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to connive with either eye. --Spectator. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or forbear by intention to discover an act; to permit a proceeding, as if not aware of it; -- usually followed by at. [1913 Webster]
  • To connive at what it does not approve. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Connive'

From: GCIDE
  • Connive \Con*nive"\, v. t. To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see. [R. & Obs.] "Divorces were not connived only, but with eye open allowed." --Milton. [1913 Webster]