contrive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make or work out a plan for; devise
    project; design; plan.
    • They contrived to murder their boss
    • design a new sales strategy
    • plan an attack
  2. verb come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
    formulate; devise; invent; excogitate; forge.
    • excogitate a way to measure the speed of light
  3. verb put or send forth
    project; cast; throw.
    • She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
    • The setting sun threw long shadows
    • cast a spell
    • cast a warm light

WordNet

Con*trive" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. contriven, contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver; con- + trouver to find. See Troubadour, trover.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Contrived ; present participle & verbal noun Contriving
Definitions
  1. 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.
Con*trive" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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