Main Entry:

con·nive

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈnīv\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

con·nived; con·niv·ing

Etymology:

French or Latin; French conniver, from Latin conivēre, connivēre to close the eyes, connive, from com- + -nivēre (akin to nictare to wink); akin to Old English & Old High German hnīgan to bow

Date:

1601

1: to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose <the government connived in the rebels' military buildup>2 a: to be indulgent or in secret sympathy : wink b: to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding3: conspire, intrigue <accused his opponents of conniving to defeat the proposal>

— con·niv·er noun