\Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Connived} (-n[imac]vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Conniving}.] [L.
connivere to shut the eyes, connive, fr. con- + (perh.) a
word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.]
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.
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.

\Con*nive"\, v. t.
To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see. [R.
& Obs.] ``Divorces were not connived only, but with eye open
allowed.'' --Milton.