01 v. i. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink.
imp. & p. p.
Connived; p. pr. & vb. n.
Conniving
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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.” — Spectator.
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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.” — Jer. Taylor.“In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving.” — Burke.“The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule.” — Macaulay.