Main Entry: con·trive

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈtrīv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): con·trived; con·triv·ing

Etymology: Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find — more at troubador

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : devise, plan <contrive ways of handling the situation> b : to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner <contrived household utensils from stone>
2 : to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage <he contrived to win their support>intransitive verb : to make schemes

— con·triv·er noun