to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed by with):
They connived to take over the business.
2.
to avoid noticing something that one is expected to oppose or condemn; give aid to wrongdoing by forbearing to act or speak (usually followed by at):
The policeman connived at traffic violations.
3.
to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed by at):
to connive at childlike exaggerations.
Origin
1595-1605; (< Frenchconniver) < Latinco(n)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent to con-con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink (cf. nictitate)
It is easy to agree that parties should not be allowed to connive or collude to create federal jurisdiction.
Some of the returnees have alleged that immigration officials actively connive with syndicates.
British Dictionary definitions for connive
connive
/kəˈnaɪv/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to plot together, esp secretly; conspire
2.
(foll by at) (law) to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)
Derived Forms
conniver, noun connivingly, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from French conniver, from Latin connīvēre to blink, hence, leave uncensured; -nīvēre related to nictāre to wink
Word Origin and History for connive
v.
c.1600, from Latin connivere, also conivere "to wink," hence, "to wink at (a crime), be secretly privy," from com- "together" (see com-) + base akin to nictare "to wink," from PIE root *kneigwh- (see nictitate). Related: Connived; conniving.