Etymology
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connive (v.)

c. 1600, "shut one's eyes to something one does not like but cannot help," from Latin connivere, also conivere "to wink," hence, figuratively, "to wink at (a crime), be secretly privy," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + base akin to nictare "to wink" (from PIE root *kneigwh-; see nictitate). From 1630s as "conceal knowledge (of a fault or crime of another); give silent encouragement to a culpable person." From 1797 as "be in secret complicity." Related: Connived; conniving.

Entries linking to connive

con- 

word-forming element meaning "together, with," sometimes merely intensive; it is the form of com- used in Latin before consonants except -b-, -p-, -l-, -m-, or -r-. In native English formations (such as costar), co- tends to be used where Latin would use con-.

nictitate (v.)

"to wink," 1822, from Medieval Latin nictitatus, past participle of nictitare, frequentative of Latin nictare "wink, blink, signal with the eyes," related to nicere "to beckon," from PIE root *kneigwh- "to blink, to draw together (the eyes or eyelids)," source also of Gothic hniewan, Old High German nigan "to bow, be inclined." Related: Nictitated; nictitating (1713). Earlier form was nictate (v.), 1690s, from Latin nictare.

updated on March 03, 2018

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Dictionary entries near connive

connectivity

connector

connexion

conniption

connivance

connive

connivence

connivent

conniving

connoisseur

Connor

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