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Webster 1913 Edition

Conspire

Con-spire′

(kŏn-spīr′)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Conspired
(kŏn-spīrd′)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Conspiring
.]
[F.
conspirer
, L.
conspirare
to blow together, harmonize, agree, plot;
con-
+
spirare
to breathe, blow. See
Spirit
.]
1.
To make an agreement, esp. a secret agreement, to do some act, as to commit treason or a crime, or to do some unlawful deed; to plot together.
They
conspired
against [Joseph] to slay him.
Gen. xxxvii. 18.
You have
conspired
against our royal person,
Joined with an enemy proclaimed.
Shakespeare
2.
To concur to one end; to agree.
Syn. – To unite; concur; complot; confederate; league.

Con-spire′

,
Verb.
T.
To plot; to plan; to combine for.
Angry clouds
conspire
your overthrow.
Bp. Hall.

Webster 1828 Edition

Conspire

CONSPIRE

,
Verb.
I.
[L., to plot; to breathe. But the primary sense is to throw, to wind; hence spira, a fold, circle, wreath or band; and the sense of the verb is, to breathe together, or more probably, to wind or band together.]
1.
To agree, by oath, covenant or otherwise, to commit a crime; to plot; to hatch treason.
The servants of Ammon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house. 2 Kings 21.
They conspired against Joseph to slay him. Genesis 37.
2.
In law, to agree falsely and maliciously to indict an innocent person of felony.
3.
To agree; to concur to one end.
The press, the pulpit, and the stage, conspire to censure and expose our age.
All things conspire to make us prosperous.

Definition 2024

conspire

conspire

See also: conspiré

English

Verb

conspire ‎(third-person singular simple present conspires, present participle conspiring, simple past and past participle conspired)

  1. (intransitive) To secretly plot or make plans together, often with the intention to bring bad or illegal results.
    • Bible, Genesis xxxvii. 18
      They conspired against [Joseph] to slay him.
  2. (intransitive) To agree, to concur to one end.
    • Roscommon
      The press, the pulpit, and the stage / Conspire to censure and expose our age.
    • 1744, Georg Friedrich Händel, Hercules, act 3, scene 5
      I feel my vanquish'd heart conspire
      To crown a flame by Heav'n approv'd.
  3. (transitive) To try to bring about.
    • Bishop Hall
    Angry clouds conspire your overthrow.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

French

Pronunciation

Verb

conspire

  1. first-person singular present indicative of conspirer
  2. third-person singular present indicative of conspirer
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of conspirer
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of conspirer
  5. second-person singular imperative of conspirer

Portuguese

Verb

conspire

  1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of conspirar
  2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of conspirar
  3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of conspirar
  4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of conspirar

Spanish

Verb

conspire

  1. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of conspirar.
  2. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of conspirar.
  3. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of conspirar.
  4. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present subjunctive form of conspirar.

Etymology

From Old French conspirer, from Latin conspirare, conspīrō, from con-, combining form of cum ‎(“with”) + spīrō ‎(“breathe”)

Pronunciation

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