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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | controver, from Late Latin contropare |
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con‧trive
[transitive]
[transitive]1 formal to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties
2 to arrange an event or situation in a clever way, especially secretly or by deceiving people : The lawsuit says oil companies contrived the oil shortage in the 1970s.
The lawsuit says oil companies contrived the oil shortage in the 1970s.3 to make or invent something in a skilful way, especially because you need it suddenly : In 1862, a technique was contrived to take a series of photographs showing stages of movement.
In 1862, a technique was contrived to take a series of photographs showing stages of movement.