Connive \Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
Connived (-n[imac]vd"); 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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