Connive /(kŏn*nīv")/

imp. & p. p. Connived; p. pr. & vb. n. Conniving

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.

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.

   In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving.

   The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule.

1. To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see. [R. & Obs.]