contrive
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Middle English contreve (“to invent”), Old French controver (French controuver), from trover (“to find”) (French trouver).
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -aɪv
[edit] Verb
contrive (third-person singular simple present contrives, present participle contriving, simple past and past participle contrived)
- To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to plan; to scheme; to plot.
- 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Modern Library Edition (1995), page 154
- ...I cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody.
- 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Modern Library Edition (1995), page 154
- To invent, to make devices; to form designs especially by improvisation.
- To project, cast, or set forth, as in a projection of light.