Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Contrive
Con-trive′
(kŏn-trīv′)
, Verb.
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.
What more likely to
contrive
this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. Tillotson.
Syn. – To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch.
Con-trive′
,Verb.
I.
To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot.
The Fates with traitors do
contrive
. Shakespeare
Thou hast
Of the defendant.
contrived
against th very lifeOf the defendant.
Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Contrive
CONTRIVE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To invent; to devise; to plan.Our poet has always some beautiful design, which he first establishes, and then contrives the means which will naturally conduct him to his end.
2.
To wear out. [This must be from the L. Contero, contrivi, and if the French controuver, and Italian controvare, are the same word differently applied, the primary sense is, to invent by rubbing, that is, by ruminating; or to strike out, as in forge. But the word is probably from trouver, to find.]
CONTRIVE
,Verb.
I.
How shall we contrive to hide our shame? [This verb is really transitive, but followed by a verb, in the place of an object or name.]