Con*trive" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contrived (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Contriving.] [OE. contriven, contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver; con- + trouver to find. See Troubadour, trover.]
To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan.
What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom.
Tillotson.
neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life.
Hawthorne.
Syn. -- To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch.
© Webster 1913.
Con*trive", v. i.
To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot.
The Fates with traitors do contrive.
Shak.
Thou hast contrived against th very life
Of the defendant.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.