v. con·trived, con·triv·ing, con·trives v.tr. 1. To plan with cleverness or ingenuity; devise: contrive ways to amuse the children. 2. To invent or fabricate, especially by improvisation: contrived a swing from hanging vines. 3. To plan with evil intent; scheme: contrived a plot to seize power. 4. To bring about, as by scheming; manage: somehow contrived to get past the guards unnoticed. v.intr. To form plans or schemes. [Middle English contreven, from Old French controver, contreuv-, from Medieval Latin contropāre, to compare : Latin com-, com- + Latin tropus, turn, manner, style (from Greek tropos; see trep- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] con·triver n. |
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