Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Connive
Con-nive′
(kŏn-nīv′)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Connived
(-nīvd′)
; 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.]
The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to
connive
with either eye. Spectator.
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.
To
connive
at what it does not approve. Jer. Taylor.
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.
The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to
connive
at the violation of this rule. Macaulay.
Con-nive′
,Verb.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Connive
CONNIVE
,Verb.
I.
1.
To wink; to close and open the eyelids rapidly.2.
In a figurative sense, to close the eyes upon a fault or other act; to pretend ignorance or blindness; to forbear to see; to overlook a fault or other act, and suffer it to pass unnoticed, uncensured or unpunished; as, the father connives at the vices of his son.