'Contrive' definitions:

Definition of 'contrive'

From: WordNet
verb
Make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack" [syn: plan, project, contrive, design]
verb
Come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light" [syn: invent, contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge]
verb
Put or send forth; "She threw the flashlight beam into the corner"; "The setting sun threw long shadows"; "cast a spell"; "cast a warm light" [syn: project, cast, contrive, throw]

Definition of 'Contrive'

From: GCIDE
  • Contrive \Con*trive"\ (k[o^]n*tr[imac]v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Contriving.] [OE. contriven, contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver; con- + trouver to find. See Troubadour, trover.] To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. [1913 Webster]
  • What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
  • neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. --Hawthorne.
  • Syn: To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Contrive'

From: GCIDE
  • Contrive \Con*trive"\, v. i. To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot. [1913 Webster]
  • The Fates with traitors do contrive. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Thou hast contrived against th very life Of the defendant. --Shak. [1913 Webster]