GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Contrive , v. 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.
   1913 Webster
   What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom.
   Tillotson.
   
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   neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life.
   Hawthorne.
   Syn. -- To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch.
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2.       
   Contrive, v. i. To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot.
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   The Fates with traitors do contrive.
   Shak.
   
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   Thou hast contrived against th very life
   Of the defendant.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster