Con·nive v. i. [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. --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.