contrive

To invent by an exercise of ingeniosity; to devise

Verb

  1. To invent by an exercise of ingeniosity; to devise
    • […]I cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. - 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify...
    • Neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. - 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter:
    • With a little manœuvring they contrived to meet on the doorstep which was […] in a boiling stream of passers-by, hurrying business people speeding past in a flurry of fumes and dust in the bright haze. - 1963, Margery...

    Synonyms: plan scheme plot hatch get

  2. To invent, to make devices; to form designs especially by improvisation.
  3. To project, cast, or set forth, as in a projection of light.
  4. To spend (time, or a period).

Origin

From Middle English contreve (“to invent”), from Old French controver (Modern French controuver), from trover (“to find”) (French trouver).

Forms

contrives contriving contrived

Synonyms

becast cast about

Derived

contrivable contrivance contrived contrivement contriver precontrive recontrive uncontriving